HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09211993 - S.1 si
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
FROM: Costa
Sunne Wright McPeak �,J
DATE: September 21, 1993 40. County
SUBJECT: Advocating for a "Wellness Incentive" in a National Health Reform Program
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SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S1)\& BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt an official position and advocate to the Clinton
Administration, Congress, and all other appropriate officials and organizations the
inclusion of a financial incentive for wellness and healthful behavior in a national
health reform program. Include in a wellness incentive promotion those healthful
behaviors, such as non-smoking (non-tobacco use), family substance abuse
agreements to reduce the illegal use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, proper
nutrition, and appropriate exercise, which through scientific research have been
shown to reduce health and medical problems.
BACKGROUND: Studies show that about half of health and medical care
expenditures are related to lifestyle behavior problems such as tobacco use, drug
abuse, improper diet, and lack of exercise. Yet, all the major proposals for national
and state health care reform being considered (as we understand them) fail to
include significant financial incentives for wellness or healthful behavior, one of the
major tools for containing medical care costs and promoting public health. For
example, preliminary reports about the Clinton health care reform proposal indicate
that individuals would contribute a certain amount to acquire health insurance,
regardless of health behavior, and employers would contribute a set amount
whether or not they provided a wellness program. Also, managed healthcare
systems would not be required to include a wellness component (although prudent
economics might argue for them to do that anyway). This should be changed.
Individuals who practice healthful behavior should pay a lower contribution to a
national or state health care plan. Employers who implement a wellness program
should pay a lower payroll tax rate. And managed health care systems should be
required to incorporate a wellness component in their services in order to be
eligible for participation in the federal plan.
As the local agency responsible for public health, Contra Costa County should take
an aggressive leadership role in pushing for a financial incentive in a national or
state health insurance program that will significantly reward individuals and
families for healthful behavior based on documented scientific research. It would
be a shame if such an incentive is not included in a national program and a major
mistake for Contra Costa County, which has been a leader on these public health
issues, not to advance this concept in the health care reform debate.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENTi YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON '_3 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _ OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS O THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: ATTESTED ,,L./'4 /y y 3
Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of
Contact: Karen Mitcnoff Supervisors&WCouotyAdministmtor
BY
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