Prevention better for health, not budget

From the CBO (via AP via MedGadget):

Some policies, such as the increased use of preventive services and the coordination of care, would have clearer positive effects on health than on the federal budget balance.

Prevention: do it because it’s the right thing to do for people.  The conclusion that it will save drastic dollars in health spending seems to be faulty, in the least.  Give back the AHRQ its power to conduct effectiveness research and publish guidelines (by the way, the effectiveness of back–pun fully intended–surgery is still questionable).  Read that last link, it’s delightfully insightful.