Question: What is the drawback of the assumption of unchanged GDP?

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy. Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.

Answer: It is patently false.

<hl> Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy. <hl> Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: <hl> It is patently false. <hl> Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy. Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.


Question: What do economic theory and empirical research confirm?

Answer: fiscal policy influences the course of the economy

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm <hl> that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy . <hl> Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that <hl> fiscal policy influences the course of the economy <hl>. Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.

that <hl> fiscal policy influences the course of the economy <hl> .


Question: What is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal?

Answer: having an economic impact

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy. <hl> Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. <hl> It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy. Indeed, <hl> having an economic impact <hl> is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.


Question: What does static scoring bias?

Answer: the analysis of proposed policy changes

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy. Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. <hl> Moreover, static scoring biases the analysis of proposed policy changes . <hl> If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.

Yet the assumption of unchanged G.D.P. also has one notable drawback: It is patently false. Much economic theory and empirical research confirm that fiscal policy influences the course of the economy. Indeed, having an economic impact is a big part of why policy makers use the tools at their disposal, whether it is the tax cuts of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush or the stimulus package of Mr. Obama. It seems somehow churlish for Congress’s economists to assume that a policy change won’t accomplish its goal simply to make their jobs easier. Moreover, static scoring biases <hl> the analysis of proposed policy changes <hl>. If a tax cut promotes growth, for example, it will lose less revenue than an estimate based on unchanged G.D.P. suggests. For most cases, this effect is not large enough to make tax cuts pay for themselves, but it often makes tax cuts less costly than they first appear.

Moreover, static scoring biases <hl> the analysis of proposed policy changes <hl> .


Question: What's more important in analyzing the biases inherent in static scoring?

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable. For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score.

Answer: are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable

<hl> Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable . <hl> For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score.

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring <hl> are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable <hl>. For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score.

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring <hl> are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable <hl> .


Question: Why would cutting corporate tax promote economic growth?

Answer: Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable. For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. <hl> Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. <hl> The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score.

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable. For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. <hl> Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes <hl> in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score.


Question: What would be the true cost of the tax cut?

Answer: would most likely be much less than its static score

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable. For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. <hl> The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score . <hl>

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable. For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, <hl> would most likely be much less than its static score <hl>.

The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, <hl> would most likely be much less than its static score <hl> .


Question: What inconsistencies do biases inherent in static scoring have?

Answer: are not the same for all possible policy changes,

<hl> Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring are not the same for all possible policy changes, making comparison of alternative options less reliable. <hl> For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score.

Perhaps more important, the biases inherent in static scoring <hl> are not the same for all possible policy changes, <hl> making comparison of alternative options less reliable. For example, suppose one member of Congress proposes a cut in the corporate tax rate, while another proposes an increase in the child tax credit to help middle-income families. Because the corporate tax is often considered one of the most distortionary taxes in the federal arsenal, cutting it would promote economic growth. The true cost of the tax cut, as estimated by dynamic scoring, would most likely be much less than its static score.


Question: Where is the Clinton Correctional Facility located?

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

Answer: in northern New York

<hl> Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York . <hl> He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility <hl> in northern New York <hl>. He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility <hl> in northern New York <hl> .


Question: What was beneath the prison?

Answer: catacomb-like tunnels

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. <hl> He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. <hl> Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. He would plumb the <hl> catacomb-like tunnels <hl> beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.


Question: How long did it take David Sweat to saw a hole at the back of his cell?

Answer: months

<hl> Night after night for months , David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. <hl> He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

Night after night for <hl> months <hl>, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

Night after night for <hl> months <hl> , David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York.


Question: Why was David Sweat in prison?

Answer: murder

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. <hl> He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder , searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. <hl> Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for <hl> murder <hl>, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.

He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for <hl> murder <hl> , searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep.


Question: What did David Sweat create?

Answer: subterranean route out.

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. <hl> They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his subterranean route out. Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life. <hl>

Night after night for months, David Sweat slipped through a hole he had sawed at the back of his cell in the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York. He would plumb the catacomb-like tunnels beneath the prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder, searching for an escape route, confident that the guards would have no idea he was gone because they were asleep. Then he would return to his empty bunk. His explorations began this past winter and continued through the spring. They took him underground almost every night for hours until he finally stumbled on what would become, through trial and error and countless hours of grueling work, his <hl> subterranean route out. <hl> Mr. Sweat felt free during his nightly journeys into the maze, as though he had already escaped the ugliness of his day-to-day prison life.


Question: How old was Mr. Sweat?

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.

Answer: 35,

<hl> Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. <hl> He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.

Mr. Sweat, <hl> 35, <hl> has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.


Question: What human qualities were needed to execute the daring escape?

Answer: patience, timing, determination and physical strength

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. <hl> It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. <hl> For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of <hl> patience, timing, determination and physical strength <hl> — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.


Question: Where was the maximum security prison that housed Mr. Sweat located?

Answer: Dannemora, N.Y.

<hl> Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y. , according to several people briefed on his account. <hl> He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in <hl> Dannemora, N.Y. <hl>, according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in <hl> Dannemora, N.Y. <hl> , according to several people briefed on his account.


Question: What was Mr. Sweat trying to cut through?

Answer: concrete wall

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. <hl> For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights. <hl>

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a <hl> concrete wall <hl> and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.


Question: What bothered Mr. Sweat while he was trying to cut through the concrete wall?

Answer: heat from steam pipes

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. <hl> For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and heat from steam pipes in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights. <hl>

Mr. Sweat, 35, has revealed those details and more to investigators reviewing his stunning June 6 escape with another inmate from the maximum-security prison in Dannemora, N.Y., according to several people briefed on his account. He has gone into the planning and execution of his bid for freedom in extraordinarily specific terms, portraying himself as the driving force. It is a story of patience, timing, determination and physical strength — born perhaps of a life of incarceration — along with good luck, and a MacGyver-like sense of ingenuity. For example, when Mr. Sweat was trying to cut through a concrete wall and <hl> heat from steam pipes <hl> in the underground passage became unbearable, he rigged a fan taken from his cell using electricity from the tunnel’s lights.


Question: How many days later from the escape was Mr. Sweat discovered?

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Answer: Two days later

<hl> Two days later , a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. <hl> He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

<hl> Two days later <hl>, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

<hl> Two days later <hl> , a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border.


Question: Next to which country's border was Mr. Sweat caught?

Answer: Canadian border

<hl> Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border . <hl> He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the <hl> Canadian border <hl>. He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the <hl> Canadian border <hl> .


Question: How far away from the Canadian border was Mr. Sweat when he was caught by the police?

Answer: mile and a half

<hl> Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. <hl> He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a <hl> mile and a half <hl> from the Canadian border. He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.


Question: Did Mr. Sweat surrender when he was ordered to stop running?

Answer: prisoner refused his order to stop running

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. <hl> He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running , the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. <hl> Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. He chased him into an open field, and when the <hl> prisoner refused his order to stop running <hl>, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

He chased him into an open field, and when the <hl> prisoner refused his order to stop running <hl> , the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said.


Question: How many times was Mr. Sweat shot?

Answer: twice

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. <hl> He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him twice from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. <hl> Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Two days later, a state police sergeant happened upon Mr. Sweat on a rural road a mile and a half from the Canadian border. He chased him into an open field, and when the prisoner refused his order to stop running, the sergeant, a firearms instructor, dropped to one knee and fired, striking him <hl> twice <hl> from a distance of more than 50 yards with a .45-caliber pistol, two people briefed on the shooting said. Mr. Sweat provided the account to investigators from the State Police, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the State Inspector General’s Office during several sessions in recent weeks, according to the people briefed on his statements. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the investigation. The escape, the manhunt and the resulting spectacle proved to be an embarrassment for the Corrections Department and the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.


Question: What is being reviewed?

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.

Answer: corrections agency’s policies and procedures

<hl> The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. <hl> Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.

The investigation, and a review of the <hl> corrections agency’s policies and procedures <hl> at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.


Question: Who was arrested after the initial investigation?

Answer: Ms. Mitchell.

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. <hl> An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. <hl> The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of <hl> Ms. Mitchell. <hl> The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.


Question: Who is the Clinton County district attorney?

Answer: Andrew M. Wylie

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. <hl> The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie , accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. <hl> The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, <hl> Andrew M. Wylie <hl>, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.

The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, <hl> Andrew M. Wylie <hl> , accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison.


Question: What was Ms. Mitchell accused of?

Answer: smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. <hl> The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison . <hl> The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of <hl> smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison <hl>. The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.

The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of <hl> smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison <hl> .


Question: How many staff members of the correctional facility were placed on administrative leave?

Answer: two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. <hl> The superintendent at Clinton, two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July. <hl>

The investigation, and a review of the corrections agency’s policies and procedures at Clinton by the office of the state inspector general, Catherine Leahy Scott, is continuing. Mr. Sweat’s account, along with interviews of corrections officers and prison officials, documents and reviews of other evidence, will no doubt play a significant role in determining what went wrong at the prison and within the culture of the agency. An initial investigation led to the arrest of Ms. Mitchell. The charges, brought by the Clinton County district attorney, Andrew M. Wylie, accused her of smuggling hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools into the prison. The superintendent at Clinton, <hl> two senior members of his staff and nine correction officers <hl> were also placed on administrative leave, according to prison agency officials, who said the superintendent was expected to retire at the end of July.


Question: What did Mr. Sweat compare his escape to?

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years.

Answer: escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.

<hl> Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption. ” Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years. <hl>

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the <hl> escape in “The Shawshank Redemption. <hl>” Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years.

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the <hl> escape in “The Shawshank Redemption. <hl> ” Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years.


Question: Who was Mr. Sweat's partner in the escape?

Answer: Mr. Matt

<hl> Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.” <hl> Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years.

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and <hl> Mr. Matt <hl> could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years.


Question: Who did Tim Robbins play in Shawshank Redemption?

Answer: Andy Dufresne

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.” <hl> Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne , the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years. <hl>

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken <hl> Andy Dufresne <hl>, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years.

Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken <hl> Andy Dufresne <hl> , the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years.


Question: How long did it take Andy Dufresne to escape?

Answer: 20 years

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.” <hl> Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, 20 years to escape, it would take them only 10 years. <hl>

Like many who followed the prison break, Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt could not help but compare their efforts to the escape in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Indeed, Mr. Sweat told investigators that he and Mr. Matt had joked that while it had taken Andy Dufresne, the character in the movie played by Tim Robbins, <hl> 20 years <hl> to escape, it would take them only 10 years.


Question: Where will people avoid going once they have insurance?

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

Answer: emergency room

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. <hl> The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room . <hl> Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive <hl> emergency room <hl>. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive <hl> emergency room <hl> .


Question: When did Obama insist Congress pass the Affordable Care Act?

Answer: 2009

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. <hl> “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. <hl> “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big <hl> 2009 <hl> address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.


Question: What did Obama say may happen if one catches a disease before it gets worse?

Answer: saves money, and it saves lives

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. <hl> “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives .” <hl> The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it <hl> saves money, and it saves lives <hl>.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

“That makes sense, it <hl> saves money, and it saves lives <hl> .”


Question: During which event did Obama tell Congress to pass a bill?

Answer: 2009 address

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. <hl> “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. <hl> “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big <hl> 2009 address <hl> to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.


Question: What did the White House describe would not happen to economic growth?

Answer: reverse it

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” <hl> The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not reverse it . <hl> But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

There’s an oft-expressed view that getting all those people covered could actually save the health system money. The argument goes something like this: Once people have insurance, they’ll go to the doctor instead of an expensive emergency room. Or: Prevention costs far less than a serious illness down the road. In selling the Affordable Care Act, President Obama was fond of making these sorts of arguments. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,” he said, in his big 2009 address to Congress, urging passage of the bill. “That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.” The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not <hl> reverse it <hl>. But it has also argued forcefully and repeatedly about the financial value of preventive care.

The White House was careful to describe the overall financial forecast for the law — the administration said the law would slow spending growth and not <hl> reverse it <hl> .


Question: Who spends more money on medical care than people without health insurance?

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that people who have health insurance spend more on medical care than people who don’t. It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security. But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.

Answer: people who have health insurance

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources <hl> that people who have health insurance spend more on medical care than people who don’t. <hl> It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security. But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that <hl> people who have health insurance <hl> spend more on medical care than people who don’t. It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security. But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.


Question: What may health insurance provide for people?

Answer: may improve their health and financial security

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that people who have health insurance spend more on medical care than people who don’t. It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. <hl> Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security . <hl> But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that people who have health insurance spend more on medical care than people who don’t. It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent <hl> may improve their health and financial security <hl>. But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.

Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent <hl> may improve their health and financial security <hl> .


Question: What does preventive health care cost rather than it saves?

Answer: more

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. <hl> There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that people who have health insurance spend more on medical care than people who don’t. <hl> It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security. But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that people who have health insurance spend <hl> more <hl> on medical care than people who don’t. It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security. But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.


Question: In how many situations does giving someone health care actually end up saving money?

Answer: only a few

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that people who have health insurance spend more on medical care than people who don’t. It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security. <hl> But there are only a few situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money. <hl>

This argument for the cost savings from universal health coverage makes some intuitive sense, but it’s wrong. There’s strong evidence from a variety of sources that people who have health insurance spend more on medical care than people who don’t. It also turns out that almost all preventive health care costs more than it saves. Those facts don’t mean that giving people health insurance is a waste of money, since those dollars spent may improve their health and financial security. But there are <hl> only a few <hl> situations in which giving someone more health care will actually end up saving money.


Question: What will preventive services not be allowed to charge under Obamacare?

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks, reducing future spending. Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments. You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money.

Answer: co-payments

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks, reducing future spending. <hl> Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments . <hl> You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money.

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks, reducing future spending. Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any <hl> co-payments <hl>. You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money.

Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any <hl> co-payments <hl> .


Question: What does research demonstrate about preventive care?

Answer: rarely ends up saving money

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks, reducing future spending. Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments. You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. <hl> But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money . <hl>

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks, reducing future spending. Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments. You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care <hl> rarely ends up saving money <hl>.

But research shows that even preventive care <hl> rarely ends up saving money <hl> .


Question: What can sometimes happen when early spending on health matters?

Answer: will stop an expensive disease in its tracks

But what about prevention? <hl> In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks , reducing future spending. <hl> Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments. You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money.

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health <hl> will stop an expensive disease in its tracks <hl>, reducing future spending. Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments. You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money.

In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health <hl> will stop an expensive disease in its tracks <hl> , reducing future spending.


Question: What does giving people health insurance allow for?

Answer: enables them to get just this sort of preventive care

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks, reducing future spending. <hl> Giving people health insurance often enables them to get just this sort of preventive care — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments. <hl> You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money.

But what about prevention? In certain situations, early spending on someone’s health will stop an expensive disease in its tracks, reducing future spending. Giving people health insurance often <hl> enables them to get just this sort of preventive care <hl> — and Obamacare requires insurers to offer most preventive services without charging any co-payments. You might expect health spending to jump initially, then slow in future years as people benefit from new prevention. But research shows that even preventive care rarely ends up saving money.


Question: What type of screening can prevent a heart attack?

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a cholesterol screening, to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years. Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)

Answer: cholesterol screening

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by <hl> a cholesterol screening , to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. <hl> But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years. Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a <hl> cholesterol screening <hl>, to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years. Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)

a <hl> cholesterol screening <hl> , to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver.


Question: How many people need to be tested in order for a single heart attack to be prevented?

Answer: hundreds

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a cholesterol screening, to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. <hl> But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years. <hl> Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a cholesterol screening, to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test <hl> hundreds <hl> of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years. Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)


Question: Which test can be a cost-saver for those whose heart attack was stopped thanks to a screening of cholesterol?

Answer: blood test

<hl> Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a cholesterol screening, to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. <hl> But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years. Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a cholesterol screening, to give one example, that <hl> blood test <hl> is a cost-saver. But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years. Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)


Question: How many years would about one hundred people need to be given cholesterol lowering drugs for the prevention of one heart attack?

Answer: five years

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a cholesterol screening, to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. <hl> But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least five years . <hl> Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)

Here’s why: For the individual patient whose heart attack is prevented by a cholesterol screening, to give one example, that blood test is a cost-saver. But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least <hl> five years <hl>. Added together, those prevention measures cost more than is saved on the one heart attack treatment. (My colleagues Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt have written a helpful article on this concept, known in medicine as the “number needed to treat.”)

But to prevent one heart attack, the health care system has to test hundreds of healthy people — and give about a hundred of them cholesterol-lowering drugs for at least <hl> five years <hl> .


Question: What saves more money in the long run than pregnancy?

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. Researchers like Mr. Cohen, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.

Answer: contraception

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. <hl> Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. <hl> But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. Researchers like Mr. Cohen, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on <hl> contraception <hl> is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. Researchers like Mr. Cohen, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.


Question: Besides mammography, what is another thing that costs more than is saved?

Answer: screening for diabetes

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. <hl> But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. <hl> Researchers like Mr. Cohen, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, <hl> screening for diabetes <hl> — tend to cost more than they save. Researchers like Mr. Cohen, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.


Question: What may happen even if one person is saved from a disease?

Answer: they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses

<hl> There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses . <hl> The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. Researchers like Mr. Cohen, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, <hl> they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses <hl>. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. Researchers like Mr. Cohen, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, <hl> they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses <hl> .


Question: Who studies the financial factors of preventive care?

Answer: Mr. Cohen

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. <hl> Researchers like Mr. Cohen , who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money. <hl>

There’s also the unavoidable fact that every time you prevent people from dying from one disease, they are likely to live longer and incur future medical expenses. The patient who benefits from the cholesterol screening may go on to develop cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s or some other costly illness. There are some prevention measures that actually do seem to save money. Counseling on contraception is one because the costs of prenatal care, delivery and pediatric care associated with an unplanned pregnancy are so substantial. But a lot of the preventive health measures that we tend to value a lot — mammography, screening for diabetes — tend to cost more than they save. Researchers like <hl> Mr. Cohen <hl>, who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.

Researchers like <hl> Mr. Cohen <hl> , who study these trade-offs, say we need to think more broadly about the value of what our preventive spending buys, not the narrow question of whether it saves money.