Expanding preventive care may add to costs, CBO says

Expanding preventive medical services may well improve public health, but it is highly unlikely to save the government money, the Congressional Budget Office representatives said in a letter to leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. CBO director Douglas W. Elmendorf said the evidence suggests that the cost of making services such as cancer screening, cholesterol management, vaccinations, and wellness training broadly available would far outweigh any savings ultimately generated.