Don’t Cut Back on Healthcare

In a tough economic climate, sometimes a community’s health gets better – people stop paying for expensive cigarettes, don’t eat unhealthy meals out as often, and binge less on alcohol. However, some decisions people make to save money can be detrimental to their health and their future. Skipping medications and doctor visits may seem like a good way to save, but will end up costing more in money, time and suffering.

A national survey of 686 Americans found that 22% report reducing the number of times they see the doctor and 11% say they have cut back on prescription medications, either in number or dosage.

It may seem like an easy cut with relatively few short-term consequences, but that’s far from the truth. To make a decision to skip a routine appointment or to not go in when something has been bothering you can lead to high hospital bills, higher insurance premiums, and can turn quickly into a life-threatening situation. There is no doubt that good preventative care can save you a lot of money in the future.

For example, skipping a $90 appointment to get your blood pressure medication could end up costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars down the road due to kidney problems, stroke, or heart attack. Many people have found themselves wishing they had dealt with the problem in the beginning stages, rather than waited until it was a medical emergency.

Research during three decades shows a correlation between the condition of the economy and the condition of human health, including life expectancy. M. Harvey Brenner, a professor of public health at the University of North Texas and Johns Hopkins University, told the New York Times: “In recessions, with declines in national income and increases in unemployment, you often see increases in mortality from heart disease, cancer, psychiatric illnesses and other conditions.”

There are many ways to cut back and save money, foregoing healthcare should not be an option. It is so important to you and your family’s health to keep up to date on health screenings and checkups. Make sure to have a regular primary care physician and get the recommended procedures and immunizations that you need. It may seem like you are saving yourself cash now if you put off these appointments, but in the end, you may be costing yourself thousands of dollars and risking your life.