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multitude of other, more frequently discussed cost-containment measures or benefit reductions. 

 If there were no substance abuse, the Trust Fund's solvency would not be in doubt for almost 

 twice the period than the Trustees are now projecting. 



But this issue extends beyond the Medicare program. Debating the broader issues 

 surrounding health care reform without either acknowledging the impact of substance abuse, 

 or including the prevention and treatment of this problem an integral part of that reform, will 

 be a costly mistake, making it impossible to provide universal access at all; or at a cost that, 

 as a nation, we can afford. 



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