Can Washington Cure Disease?

Medical research and life science companies are successful with innovation and economic development. But finding cures for chronic diseases has not been a success story. The possibility of preventing much of the chronic disease is greater and more immediate than finding cures. If the objective of the government is innovation and economic development, then they should continue doing what they are doing. On the other hand, lifestyle modification and public health are more likely to result in a healthier population with a lower incidence of chronic diseases and less need for the cost of medical care. I wonder how that might effect the economy, especially long term.