Nearly 15,000 Americans, including many from New Jersey, die each year from internal bleeding caused by ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
It is estimated that 2.7 million Americans age 60 or older may have this life-threatening condition. AAA is one of the most preventable, yet often neglected vascular conditions.
In fact, it is highly treatable and curable in 95 percent of men and women when detected before rupture occurs.
Recently, federal legislation allowing Medicare to cover the costs of AAA screenings was introduced.
The Vascular Society of New Jersey (VSNJ) applauds this initiative. The Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act (HR 827) will provide easy, affordable exams for seniors who are most vulnerable to this condition. For our senior citizens in New Jersey, this legislation is particularly significant since we have a high population of residents over 60 years of age.
AAA usually strikes suddenly and without warning. It typically is not detected during routine physical exams.
The VSNJ maintains that preventative screenings will be a sound health care investment. In the long run, it will result in savings to our Medicare program. As vascular surgeons, we, more than anyone, know the cost of routine screenings will pale in comparison to the cost of rehabilitating victims who may have survived a ruptured aneurysm.
VSNJ, representing more than 130 vascular surgeons in the state, urges our representatives in Washington to support this legislation.
Dr. Clifford Sales
president
Vascular Society of New Jersey
Trenton