Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson spoke in Des Moines Wednesday at the start of the annual enrollment period for Medicare’s prescription drug benefit. Thompson spoke at an event sponsored by Iowans for Wellness and Prevention.
Thompson says we have a system based on people getting sick and he says less than 10-percent of the money is spent on keeping you well in the first place. Thompson says Iowans for Wellness and Prevention agrees with him that the U.S. needs a wellness system instead of a curative system. Thompson, who is the former Governor of Wisconsin, says Iowa seniors should take this time to look over their Medicare drug plan and decide if it’s working.
Thompson says those who have seen another plan or find their plan isn’t working, have the opportunity in the next 45 days to look at all the plans and pick one that’s the best for them. Thompson says if you like your plan, you don’t have to do anything. Thompson says he’s also encouraging people to take advantage of more of the preventative services provided by Medicare.
Thompson says you can get a physical, annual screenings for various cancers, get a flu shot and be able to stop smoking. Thompson says these things are not being utilized by enough seniors. Thompson equates the preventative measures to doing maintenance on your car and getting the proper oil changes to keep things running.