Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Obama Signs Health Reform, Preventable Risk Factors Reducing Life Expectancy Named Best/Worst Prevention Ideas of the Week
Posted by Partnership for Prevention at 7:36 AMThe passage of a health reform bill that emphasizes prevention and wellness was named the “Best Prevention Idea of the Week,” while reduced life expectancy due to preventable risk factors was named the “Worst Prevention Idea of the Week."
The “Best/Worst” awards are announced each week in “Prevention Matters,” the blog of Partnership for Prevention. Nominees are submitted by Partnership staff as well as the general public, and are voted on by the staff. Partnership for Prevention is a nonpartisan organization of business, nonprofit and government leaders who are working to make evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion a national priority. More information is available at http://www.prevent.org/.
BEST
Obama Signs Historic Health Reform Law, Steps Up Focus on Prevention and Wellness
On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the health care bill into law. The new federal health reform law (HR 3590) includes many provisions aimed at disease prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles. The law creates a $15 billion fund for programs designed to promote prevention and wellness, such as efforts to address obesity and to help patients manage chronic diseases. The law also establishes a National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council to coordinate federal efforts to promote healthy living. In addition, the health care reform law:
• Eliminates copayments for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries receiving preventive services;
• Increases reimbursement rates for physicians who offer certain preventive services;
• Provides grants to small business for establishing wellness programs and incentives for employers to offer workers as much as 50% off their premiums for participating in such programs; and
• Requires chain restaurants and vending machines to disclose nutritional information.
WORST
Four Preventable Risk Factors Reduce Life Expectancy in U.S. and Lead to Health Disparities