More than 48,000 people in Hawaii received free preventive health services in the first five months of 2012 with the help of the Affordable Care Act, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today.

Nationally, 14,297,266 people in Medicare received at least one free preventive service during the first five months of 2012 In Hawaii, 48,509 people benefitted.

“Thanks to the health care law, millions of Americans are getting cancer screenings, mammograms and other preventive services for free,” CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said in a news release.  “These free preventive services are helping people in Medicare stay healthy and lower their health care costs.” 

One of the major goals of the Affordable Care Act is to help people stay healthy by giving them the tools they need to take charge of their own health and prevent health problems before they happen.

For more information on Medicare-covered preventive services, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/65-older/medicare-preventive-services/index.html.

To learn what screenings, vaccinations and other preventive services doctors recommend for you and those you care about, visit the myhealthfinder tool at www.healthfinder.gov.