Preventive healthcare is oh-so French, thus undesirable

Atrios writes:

And Why Is That?

Yglesias:

A robust public option saves money so, naturally, deficit-averse “centrist” Democrats don’t like the idea. And, naturally, the press never seems to point that out.

I've hit this point before, and even though it's the sort of thing the press does all the time (or in this case doesn't), I'm still a bit curious why. Are they just so enamored with any self-described centrist deficit hawk, too stupid to understand the policy, or what?

Here's what their problem is:

You save money by implementing *preventive* measures in healthcare.

The Republicans and the Press only understand how to be *re*active, not *pro*active. Being proactive with respect to healthcare encourages a scientific, rational analysis of your current medical condition. Of course all that book-learnin' science-stuff is too French for Republicans (and hence the Press will also poo-poo it).

Plus, if poor people get preventive healthcare, then they won't be languishing in the streets, which is where Republicans need them (to feel superior to them). The Press also needs poor people on the streets, in order to point out that Republicans "have a point".