Bill Overview
Title: Preventive Services Early Action Act
Description: This bill requires the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to review scientific evidence concerning clinical preventive service recommendations and update those recommendations if supported by those reviews on a more frequent basis. The task force is an independent panel of national experts in disease prevention and evidence-based medicine that makes recommendations (subject to public comment) about clinical preventive services. Currently, the task force must review relevant evidence about its recommendations, and update them if necessary, at least once during every five-year period. Under this bill, the task force must implement a process for carrying out ongoing reviews of scientific evidence related to its existing recommendations and new topics and report findings and other information about those reviews on a quarterly basis. The bill also requires the task force to determine whether to initiate the process for updating or modifying a recommendation before the close of the five-year period if (1) the scientific review supports such early action, or (2) the Food and Drug Administration approves or clears a new screening test or medication that could serve as a preventive strategy or modality related to a recommendation.
Sponsors: Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals worldwide benefiting from enhanced preventive healthcare services
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The act focuses on preventive services, which broadly impacts individuals who utilize preventive healthcare services as part of maintaining their health.
- Everyone who accesses healthcare services might benefit from improved and more current preventive care recommendations.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations are highly influential in determining what screenings, counseling services, and preventive medications are covered by insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
- The population impacted includes all individuals who are recommended to undergo preventive services such as screenings and vaccinations as part of their healthcare.
- Preventive services are typically more applicable across a wide array of age groups, but often these services are critical for infants, children, women, and older adults.
Reasoning
- The policy targets improvements in preventive healthcare services, which could potentially affect the entire U.S. population that utilizes these services.
- Older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses who frequently engage with healthcare services are more likely to be impacted immediately.
- Preventive services like vaccinations and screenings are universal healthcare services, so this policy has a broad potential impact.
- Within the budget constraints, it is reasonable to simulate effects over a diverse demographic to understand the potential scale of impact across different user groups.
- Comprehensive implementation might see those with regular healthcare access benefiting more quickly.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The more timely updates on preventive services could make my job more effective, since I'd have up-to-date information to share with my patients.
- This could lead to better patient outcomes, reducing long-term costs for both patients and healthcare providers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on recommended screenings and preventive services to maintain my health as I age.
- Faster updates might introduce more relevant screenings that could affect seniors like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Tech Consultant (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly involved with healthcare much, but knowing recommendations are frequent and current provides peace of mind should I need them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Farmer (Rural Iowa)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this policy means my local clinic gets more timely information on what services are most important, that could help in the long run.
- Access to updated preventive services can be crucial for rural communities with limited hospital facilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I seldom visit doctors, so while this policy might not seem directly impactful to me, knowing the latest screenings could be easily accessible when needed is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Denver, CO)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for someone like me who needs continual updates on preventive care related to my condition.
- Earlier updates could lead to timely access to new treatments or screenings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Public Health Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 25.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could enhance public health initiatives by ensuring preventive services align with the most recent evidence and findings.
- It could potentially lower long-term health costs by catching issues earlier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
School Principal (Seattle, WA)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved preventive recommendations could be incorporated into our school wellness programs.
- If health insurance adapts based on these recommendations, it could be beneficial for our staff's well-being at minimal additional cost.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 30.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone studying the system, this policy looks promising to enhance public health strategies.
- More timely and adaptive preventive measures can lead to a healthier population in the long term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired Nurse (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Continually updated policies could mean more direct and practical advice for those I know navigating healthcare systems.
- Being more up-to-date on preventive services could support better health outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52500000 (Low: $42000000, High: $63000000)
Year 3: $55125000 (Low: $44100000, High: $66150000)
Year 5: $60466125 (Low: $48372813, High: $72559439)
Year 10: $77485897 (Low: $61988718, High: $92983076)
Year 100: $1315012577 (Low: $1052009970, High: $1578015084)
Key Considerations
- The bill's financial impact depends heavily on implementation efficiency and advancements in preventive health technologies.
- The capacity of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and associated bodies to handle increased review frequency without sacrificing quality.
- Potential for improved public health outcomes to translate into economic benefits through reduced healthcare costs and enhanced productivity.