II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1754 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 9, 2007 Mr. Harkin (for himself and Mr. Smith) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a workplace wellness education campaign and an evaluation of employer-based wellness programs, and for other purposes.

1.

CDC and employer-based wellness programs

Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: R

CDC AND EMPLOYER-BASED WELLNESS PROGRAMS

399Z–1.

Motivating employers to implement workplace wellness programs

(a)

Workplace wellness marketing campaign for employers

The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in coordination with relevant worksite health promotion organizations, shall conduct an educational campaign to make employers, employer groups, and other interested parties aware of the benefits of employer-based wellness programs. (b)

Employer award program

The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall develop an annual awards program for employers to encourage the development of creative and effective solutions to help employees maintain or improve their health. The awards program shall provide that small, medium, and large employers that are public or private shall be eligible for the awards.

399Z–2.

Evaluation of employer-based wellness programs

The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall enter into contracts with entities to— (1)provide employers (including small, medium, and large employers, as determined by the Director) with technical assistance in evaluating such employers’ employer-based wellness programs, including— (A)measuring the participation of employees in such programs; and (B)evaluating such programs as they relate to changes in the health status of employees, the absenteeism of employees, the productivity of employees, the rate of workplace injury, and the medical costs incurred by employees; and (2)train employers on how to evaluate such employers’ employer-based wellness programs.

399Z–3.

National worksite health policies and programs study

(a)

In General

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall conduct a national worksite health policies and programs study to assess employer-based health policies and programs. (b)

Report

After completing each study under subsection (a), the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall submit to Congress a report that includes the recommendations of the Director for the implementation of effective employer-based health policies and programs.

399Z–4.

Miscellaneous provisions

(a)

Behavioral risk factor surveillance system

The Secretary shall expand the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to include a workforce component to enable employers, researchers, and health officials to assess employee health risks, identify emerging problems associated with general employee health, prevent disease within the employee population, and improve employer-based health programs and policies. (b)

Demonstration projects

(1)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award grants to entities to enable such entities to carry out research demonstration projects to study the effect of the application of new worksite-based health interventions and models. (2)

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3)

Broad participation

In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that demonstration projects are conducted in both the public and private sectors and in small and large employer settings. (4)

Submission of findings

An entity shall submit to the Secretary a report on the results of the research conducted under the grant within such period as the Secretary may prescribe. Such report shall include any guidelines or recommendations developed by the entity based on such research. (c)

Implementation of research results

The Secretary shall carry out activities to implement the guidelines or recommendations received by the Secretary under subsection (b)(4) if the Secretary determines that such guidelines of recommendations would result in improved employee health through worksite-based health programs or policies.

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