On July 15, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education held a hearing to examine proposals aimed at preventing chronic diseases through healthy lifestyles. Chair Arlen Specter (R-PA) called it “a wellness hearing,” saying, “There is no doubt that the issue of lifestyle, exercise, diet and other major factors have some real prospects for cutting into the health care costs of America.”
Ranking Member Tom Harkin (D-IA) agreed, adding that wellness and prevention should be health care priorities. “We get an A in treatment and fixing people up, but we get an F in prevention, and that is unacceptable.”
In testimony before the subcommittee, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tommy Thompson announced a new Medicare coverage policy related to obesity. “With this new policy, Medicare will be able to review scientific evidence in order to determine which interventions improve health outcomes for seniors and disabled Americans who are obese,” stated Secretary Thompson, adding, “Obesity is a critical public health problem in our country that causes millions of Americans to suffer unnecessary health problems and to die prematurely. Treating obesity-related illnesses and complications adds billions of dollars to the nation’s health care costs.” According to an HHS press release, the new policy removes language in the Medicare Coverage Issues Manual stating that obesity is not an illness, thereby allowing the public to request the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to review the scientific evidence to determine whether obesity treatments should be covered under Medicare.
Noting his personal commitment to the issue, Secretary Thompson said that he went on a diet, lost 15 pounds, and “put the whole department on a diet.” Additionally, he walks up seven flights of steps every day, and is in the process of having music installed in the stairwells to encourage employees to use the stairs. “I began handing out pedometers to help people walk 10,000 steps a day. Now they are a fashion statement,” he said. Secretary Thompson thanked the subcommittee for allowing the department to reprogram funds to set up a quit line for department employees who want to quit smoking.
Secretary Thompson also detailed other department activities aimed at fostering healthy lifestyles, including the HealthierUS initiative. The initiative “helps Americans to take steps to improve personal health and fitness and encourages all Americans to: 1) be physically active every day; 2) eat a nutritious diet; 3) get preventive screenings; and 4) make healthy choices concerning alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and safety,” he said.
Additionally, the Steps to a HealthierUS Initiative was launched by the secretary two years ago. “The cornerstone of the Steps initiative is the community grant program,” stated Secretary Thompson. “These funds are used to help implement community action plans for activities ranging from establishing community walking programs to helping schools, worksites, shopping malls, senior centers and other community locations establish exercise, nutrition, and smoking cessation programs. We are targeting diabetes, asthma and obesity because of their rapidly increasing prevalence in the United States and the ability for individuals to control and even prevent these diseases through exercise, diet and other strategies that will be implemented with these grant funds.” Last year the program was funded at $44 million.
Secretary Thompson showed members of the subcommittee new ads encouraging individuals to take small steps to lead a healthier life. “Our ads run on T.V., radio, and the Internet, in English and Spanish. They are humorous ads that show people finding body parts—love handles, double chins, and big bellies—that have been ‘lost’ by people who are practicing healthier habits,” he said.
The subcommittee also heard testimony from Dr. Dean Ornish, Kenneth Gladish of the YMCA of the USA, and several other representatives of local YMCAs across the country.
