News and Updates

Health Promotion Provisions are law

News and Updates

Health Promotion Provisions are law.  - March 23, 2009

President Obama signs Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
 
We are very excited to tell you that the health promotion provisions we have been advocating for became law when President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act a few hours ago.  These provisions were not part of the reconciliation bill still in discussion in the Senate, so they will remain law regardless of what happens on that bill.

Six of the eight provisions we have been advocating for were passed.  Details are below.  Some of these provisions will require regulation language to be written before they are implemented, but we  expect all of them to go into effect in 2010 and 2011.   The other great news is that bill included additional health promotion provisions developed by Senator Harkin and Senator Baucus.  All of this represents a huge victory for our field, and for the health of the American people.

The other great news is that bill included additional health promotion provisions developed by Senator Harkin and Senator Baucus.  All of this represents a huge victory for our field, and for the health of the American people.
 
Thank you for all your help in making this a reality.  Your letters to members of Congress helped them understand that their constituents supported these health promotion provisions and persuaded them to retain them despite partisan to cut costs as much as possible.  These health promotion provisions are one of the few provisions that enjoyed bipartisan support!
 
 
Health Promotion Provisions in Health Care Reform Bill
 
See details at this link
 
Included:

1. Development of a national health promotion plan.
     
2. Enhanced health promotion research.
     
3. Technical assistance to enhance evaluation of workplace health promotion programs.
     
4. Regular periodic surveys on workplace health program prevalence and components.
     
5. Grants to pay a portion of the cost of comprehensive workplace health promotion programs for small employers.
       
6. Allow employers to offer employees a premium discount of up to 30% (instead of the current 20%), for positive lifestyle practices or participation in health promotion programs, include safeguards, and refer to Health and Human Services to study benefits of increasing the portion to 50%.

Not included:

1. A national campaign to employers on the benefits of workplace health promotion programs. (Note: a limited campaign will be part of the grant program, point #5 above
     
2. Research on best practices in workplace health promotion programs (Note: some of the funds from point #2 above can  be used for this purpose)

Respectfully,
 
Michael and Mari
 
Michael P. O'Donnell, MBA, MPH, PhD
Editor in Chief, American Journal of Health Promotion
Chairman, Health Promotion Advocates
 
Mari Ryan
Interim Chair, Grass Roots Advocacy Committee
CEO, Advancing Wellness

Advocates Webinar - September 30, 2009

Breaking news on the status of health promotion provisions of health care reform

To replay a recording of the webinar, click here
To see the slides used in the webinar, click here

 Advocates Webinar - September 8, 2009

Michael O'Donnell update on status of health promotion provisions of health care reform

To replay a recording of the webinar, click here
To see the slides used in the webinar, click here