It could be said that the best way to treat a condition is to prevent it from happening at all. That is why preventative care services can play such an important role in a person's health and in keeping costs down for health insurance companies and employers.

A survey by the Midwest Business Group on Health looked into the relationship between employers and preventative care services. Virtually all employers surveyed said that they played a role in their staff getting preventative care services. Also, the survey shows that employers are mainly motivated to offer such services because they can help keep employees healthy and more productive.

"Employers are increasingly investing resources in preventive care and wellness programs to reduce health care costs and improve the health and productivity of their employees," said MBGH president and CEO Larry Boress.

Getting screened for certain conditions like diabetes, for example, can greatly reduce health care costs down the road. If a patient knows they are at risk for developing the disease, they can alter their lifestyle to reduce their chances.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most Americans will be required to have health insurance. For those who can't afford the coverage on their own, government programs and health insurance markets may be an option.

Unfortunately, the requirement doesn't take effect until 2014 and many people need affordable access to healthcare now. A series of free health clinics from the group Communities Are Responding Everyday will be stopping in New Orleans to help provide care to those who need it.

Without free services, some people may not know where else to turn for care if they don't have health insurance.

"This free clinic is not just for the sick but also for anyone who is uninsured and has not seen a doctor recently," said National Association of Free Clinics executive director Nicole Lamoureux. "All participants will receive preventive primary medical care and be connected to the area's safety-net providers such as free clinics."

Visiting the doctor on the regular basis is important. Even if a person isn't feeling ill, a physician can provide preventative screenings that may ultimately save a person on healthcare costs.

With the state readjusting its budget, Pennsylvania's Mental Health/Mental Retardation Coalition is voicing its concern over being forced to operate with less funding.

The group wrote a letter to state Governor Edward Rendell stating the importance of the services it offers. The MH/MR Coalition said it has been underfunded and shouldn't have to face a budget cut.

"We are very concerned that decreased funds from the federal government will result in another round of cuts to programs for people in Pennsylvania who live with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders," said Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania executive director Sue Walther. "This should not happen when there are other line items in the state budget that increased during the initial budgeting phase."

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 26.2 percent of Americans over the age of 18 have a mental disorder in any given year. Cutting funding and services to the mentally ill may ultimately end up costing more in the long run if their conditions get worse.