"Prevention is the Best Medicine"
(2000 - 2001):
Examples from a series of 14 Video News Releases arguing that "Prevention is
the Best Medicine" produced for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
2000 - 2001.
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Diabetes
Ruth Langley shares stories and pictures of her 11 family members who have
died from diabetes and tells us how "learning to manage my diabetes has been
the greatest experience of my life." Her doctor, Resa Levitan explains how
Ruth and other patients can take charge of their diabetes and lead healthy
and productive lives.
Medicare has made it easier by paying for blood glucose monitors and test
strips.
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Mammogram
Dr. Rebecca Zuurbier, a radiologist at Georgetown University Medical Center
shows us that a mammogram is really a simple procedure and can detect cancer
as much as two years before a tumor can be felt, even with the best trained
hands. Everyday, Medicare makes it easy for its beneficiaries by covering
the cost of annual mammograms for women 40 and over.
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Depression
When 82 year-old Stephanie Joyce was diagnosed with clinical depression, she
thought it was a natural part of aging. But as Dr. Barry Lebowitz of the
National Institute of Mental Health explains, it is never normal to be
depressed. Stephanie thanks her therapy for giving her life back, and now
she helps others realize that old age doesn't have to include depression.
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"Mammograms for Mother's Day"
Few people know that a major risk factor for breast cancer is just getting
older. When Katrina Wallace learned this, she decided to give her mom the
gift of a mammogram. Dr. Barbara Paul of the Health Care Financing
Administration tells us that 75% of all breast cancers occur in women with
no family history.
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Colorectal Cancer
Daveene Carrington had never even heard of colorectal cancer before she was
diagnosed. But thanks to early detection through colorectal cancer
screening, she feels blessed that her cancer was caught in time.
Medicare is helping to save lives by paying for the tests needed to detect
colorectal cancer early.
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What is Medicare?
Medicare was created just 35 years ago under the Johnson Administration, as
a health safety net for older Americans. For many baby boomers, Medicare has
always seemed far off - something that their parents worried about as they
retired. But more and more boomers are turning 65 and finding that Medicare
has become a part of their lives as well. Today, Medicare covers more
preventive services than it did in the past.
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