Manatee Review

Last week, Health Subcommittee Chairman Vern Buchanan led a Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Hearing on "Investing in a Healthier America." The hearing focused on the role of preventive medicine and healthy living in combating chronic disease and the growing obesity epidemic.

"With federal healthcare spending at more than $4 trillion per year and approximately 42 percent of adults facing obesity, it is clear that much more needs to be done to address the healthcare crisis," said Rep. Buchanan. "I was thrilled to chair this important hearing on addressing the root causes of chronic disease and ways that Congress can work together to save taxpayers money while ensuring people have the tools necessary to live longer, healthier, and happier lives."

Rep. Buchanan questioned Dr. Mark Hyman from the Institute for Functional Health about current healthcare spending: "Dr. Hyman…we’re spending over a trillion dollars. We’re spending more money than we’ve ever spent, but we’re going in the wrong direction in terms of health care. When you look at 42 percent…obesity of adults, 20 percent with children. That’s wrong. That’s sad. We can do a lot better. What are your thoughts on it?”

Dr. Hyman responded: “The science and the data are clear that we can solve this chronic disease epidemic by focusing on its root causes. I practice root cause medicine…What is the root cause? In America, we mop up the floor while the sink overflows. How do we turn off the faucet, so we deal with the root cause of the problem, which is the food that’s driving the chronic disease epidemic. I think there are a lot of levers that the government can pull…I think a deep understanding of food as medicine is very important.”

The discussion also covered innovative Medicare programs designed to prevent and treat chronic diseases. Medicare Advantage has several programs offering food benefits and specialized care for individuals with severe or debilitating chronic diseases (C-SNPs). A study showed C-SNP enrollees with diabetes were significantly less likely to be admitted to hospitals compared to those not enrolled.

Rep. Adrian Smith asked Dr. Francesca Rinaldo about incentivizing patients through plan design: “Dr. Rinaldo, based on your experience with Medicare Advantage, how would you say plan design can better incentivize patients to build stronger relationships with their primary care providers?”

Dr. Rinaldo explained: “In our benefit design, we often eliminate or reduce costs for preventive care services like primary care visits, especially those that are related to chronic condition management... Specifically, for our diabetic members...we provide services and benefits that include no-cost insulin... For our cardiovascular disease members...we provide $0 cardiologist visits as well as low-cost cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.”

A new report by Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee led by Rep. David Schweikert calculated that obesity-related health expenses will cost an additional $9.1 trillion over ten years.

Rep Schweikert stated: “I’m the senior Republican on the Joint Economic Committee…We did the math on obesity in America... You have a country where we are about to have the fifth year in a row where prime age males are dying younger... Diabetes now is 33 percent of all U.S health care spending.”

The importance of early detection screenings was highlighted by Rep Brian Fitzpatrick who emphasized prevention services for cancer.

Rep Fitzpatrick asked former Senator Bill Frist about further investments needed beyond early screenings: “Dr Peters and Senator Frist – in your experiences, what other investments should be made to prevent further cancer diagnoses?”

Senator Frist responded: “…Once you get test results…there’s a huge gap between if you have a positive result or negative result... And that’s where an opportunity exists for things like telemedicine.”

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