It was a scorcher here in Ohio as I made my way with seven healthcare professionals and healthcare advocates to the top of the legislative offices of the Carew Tower in downtown Cincinnati. Our mission: to brief Congressman Steve Chabot (R) on the devastating effects of diabetes, and the flaws in the Ohio healthcare system that can compound the effects of this illness, and to discuss new ways to work together to address these flaws. 

Our first story of how bad the problem is came from a woman named Kelley Davis. Kelley is 19 years old, a severe Type-II diabetic, and fully employed. Despite this, she's unable to afford the life saving insulin that can cost upwards of $350 each month. After aging out of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Kelley, like many Ohioans, was left with nowhere to turn saying, "You wouldn't imagine people would turn you down for something you need."

While Kelley's story is compelling, it's not unique. In a survey done by the Kaiser Foundation and National Public Radio, it was reported that:

• 28 percent of Ohioans say they have trouble paying for health insurance;
• 14 percent use up most of their savings on medical bills; and
• 16 percent have been contacted by a collection agency about unpaid medical bills.

As Lillian Kitchens, a local healthcare worker said during the meeting, "It's time to get health care back to what it was. It's become a money making business, not a care giving business."

Caregivers urged Congressman Chabot to explore how Ohio can invest in preventative treatment for chronic illnesses such as type-II diabetes. Opponents of healthcare reform sometimes contend that it's too expensive and not cost effective to invest in preventative programs - but that's just plain wrong. For example, every $10 invested per Ohio resident in nutrition programs that can curb the onset of Type-II diabetes would result in $795 million in savings for the state. Of that savings, $503 million would go right back into the pockets of Ohio citizens in the form of lowered premiums. People say we can't afford preventive care but really, we can't afford not to do this.