Wyden Amendment Enhances Prevention for Type 2 Diabetes in Children
S-CHIP Amendment Allows for $15 Million to Combat Childhood Obesity, Diabetes
Washington D.C. -- Working to enhance screening and prevention of childhood type 2 diabetes, U.S Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) today announced that an amendment giving states $15 million to combat the disease has been included in the final conference version of the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill (S-CHIP). Wyden is the amendment's sponsor. The S-CHIP conference report passed the Senate yesterday evening and will now be sent to the President for his consideration.
"This amendment gives states the power to develop creative solutions to the closely related problems of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in children," said Wyden. "Children who develop type 2 diabetes are saddled with health problems for life. By investing in prevention, we can not only save lives, we can make a greater impact with less money."
The Wyden amendment authorizes states to develop innovative programs to address type 2 diabetes in children, an illness that is closely correlated with the rise in childhood obesity. Programs could focus on screening and education about healthy eating and physical activity. States could also develop programs with financial incentives - including reductions in premiums when screening or health benchmarks are met - to boost participation.
The amendment is consistent with the prevention-first philosophy of Wyden's bipartisan Healthy Americans Act, which will provide affordable, high-quality, private health coverage for every American regardless of where they live or work. The act contains health care costs in part by providing incentives for individuals to get preventive care and participate in wellness activities that will keep them healthier. For more information: http://wyden.senate.gov/media/2006/12132006_Healthy_Americans_Act.htm.
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