Expressing support for health and wellness coaches.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 117 Expressing support for health and wellness coaches. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 8, 2019 Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. NORTON, Mr. DEFA- ZIO, Mr. PETERS, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Mr. RYAN, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. COHEN, Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. DOGGETT, and Mr. GUTHRIE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for health and wellness coaches. Whereas lifestyle-related chronic diseases are at the heart of the current health care crisis in the United States; Whereas the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed chronic disease ‘‘the public health challenge of the 21st century’’; Whereas decades of research have linked lifestyle factors, such as inactivity, poor diet, tobacco smoking, and sus- tained stress, with increased risk for major illnesses and death; Whereas attempts to reduce these lifestyle-related chronic dis- eases and costs have proven to be financially unsustain- VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:55 Feb 08, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR117.IH HR117 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 117 IH able within a system that rewards hospitalizations and invasive procedures; Whereas incentives for interventions and technologies that achieve desired outcomes such as outpatient care, risk management, patient support, and health coaching should be encouraged; Whereas a large gap exists between health care provider rec- ommendations and sustainable health-related behavior change; Whereas health coaches are a new type of health care worker who serve as wellness guides and supportive mentors that motivate individuals to cultivate positive health choices and move them toward those specific goals; Whereas health coaches serve a vital role in improving an in- dividual’s wellness that complements and does not replace the work of health care professionals; and Whereas there are an increasing number of studies that show the effectiveness of health and wellness coaches in im- proving individual health and wellness and reducing health care costs: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 1 the efforts of health and wellness coaches of the United 2 States on their important work to improve the health and 3 wellness of the Nation. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:55 Feb 08, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR117.IH HR117 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS