Thursday, March 06, 2008
Governor Culver And Lt. Governor Judge Roll Out Wellness Plan In Tour Across Iowa
(DES MOINES) — Today, Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge traveled across Iowa to highlight and garner support for their legislative wellness initiatives. The tour, “Working Today for a Healthier Tomorrow” began with a joint event at the Downtown Des Moines YMCA. Governor Culver then took his message on a tour of western Iowa and Lt. Governor Judge traveled to eastern Iowa to tout their plan.
“The health and well-being of Iowans is paramount in our administration,” said Governor Culver. “The Lt. Governor and I are introducing three key initiatives that focus on disease prevention and healthy living. We believe these steps will address serious health issues facing Iowans, such as childhood obesity and managing chronic diseases.”
During the tour, Gov. Culver and Lt. Gov. Judge discussed these three main initiatives:
- Governor’s Wellness Bill (Senate Study Bill 3225 and House Study Bill 728). This bill includes the Iowa Healthy Communities Initiative Grant. The grant program will provide local communities grant funds to help transform the existing culture into a culture that promotes healthy lifestyles and leads collectively, to a healthier state. Unhealthy behaviors are costing Iowa taxpayers in skyrocketing insurance premiums. In 2000, State Health Insurance Premiums cost $148.7 million. In 2008, the premiums cost $315.6 million, an increase of $166.9 million over eight years. Insurance premiums are projected to cost $420.1 million in 2012. This bill also establishes the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Nutrition. This 12-member council will consist of health care and nutrition professionals, educators and other experts. The council will implement a statewide plan to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and promote healthy behaviors. The council will also establish a “best practices” internet website and the Governor’s Physical Fitness Challenge in partnership with communities and school districts. The Challenge will offer curriculum and awards to encourage physical fitness.
- Healthy Kids Act (Senate File 2279). This bipartisan bill calls for the development of nutritional content standards for any food sold on school grounds and creates a Nutrition Advisory Panel to help develop those standards. In 1998, 26.5% of Iowa children ages 2-5 were overweight or obese. That number was up 6% to 32.5% overweight or obese children in 2006. It also requires every K-12 student to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity per school day and that every student be certified in CPR by the end of high school.
- State Employees Wellness and Disease Management. The State of Iowa currently has a chronic disease management program through American Healthways, one of the leading providers in the nation. The Governor’s office is working to expand this successful program to not only manage the diseases once employees have them, but also to prevent them by ramping up wellness efforts. The program is financed through the insurance premiums the State pays and after one year, has been extremely successful. Specifically, there’s a reduction in hospital admissions, emergency room visits and length of hospital stays. Return on Investment (ROI) was 3.14. In other words, for every $1 spent on the disease management program in 2006, $3.14 was avoided in costs, saving taxpayer. This program will not only improve lives, but also save the state in productivity and health care costs.
Lt. Governor Judge, a former nurse who created the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Wellness and Healthy Living, said, “I’m proud that Governor Culver and I have concrete proposals to improve the health of Iowans and reduce costs associated with chronic diseases. We hope to lead the nation in physical activity and wellness benchmarks.”
After the initial kickoff at the YMCA, Governor Culver met with Iowans at Franklin Elementary School in Council Bluffs and finished the day at the Carroll Recreational Center in Carroll. Lt. Governor Judge delivered remarks at City High School in Iowa City. On Friday, the Lt. Governor will visit Hoerner YMCA in Keokuk and Wildwood Elementary School in Ottumwa.