[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 481 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 481

          Expressing support for health and wellness coaches.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 16, 2021

 Mr. Payne (for himself, Mr. Buchanan, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Larson of 
 Connecticut, Ms. Norton, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Cardenas, and Mr. 
DeFazio) 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 sustained stress, with increased risk 
        for major illnesses and death;
Whereas attempts to reduce these lifestyle-related chronic diseases and costs 
        have proven to be financially unsustainable 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 recommendations 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 individual'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 improving individual health and wellness 
        and reducing health care costs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the efforts of 
health and wellness coaches of the United States on their important 
work to improve the health and wellness of the Nation.
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