[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 107 (Friday, July 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DR. ORNISH'S LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION PROGRAM

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                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2001

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on America's 
battle with heart disease. The Government Reform Committee, which I 
Chair, has been conducting an oversight investigation into the role of 
complementary and alternative therapies in our health care system. Dr. 
Dean Ornish has testified before our Committee. His program prevents 
heart attacks and strokes--not through expensive medication or 
surgery--but through lifestyle modification like diet, stress 
management and yoga.
  It's innovative, low cost, non-invasive, and scientifically proven to 
be effective. Scientific research has demonstrated that Dr. Ornish's 
program not only helps prevent heart problems like arterial blockages, 
it actually reverses heart disease in people with serious conditions.
  The Medicare program is currently conducting a pilot program to test 
Dr. Ornish's program on 1,800 Medicare patients. Last year, Congressman 
Rangel and I introduced legislation to extend this demonstration 
program for two more years to make sure that all 1,800 patients can 
complete the program and be thoroughly evaluated. I really believe that 
this program can save lives, and save the Medicare program billions of 
dollars. At a time when HCFA has estimated that our health care costs 
will double by the year 2007, programs like this lifestyle modification 
program hold out real hope for reducing open-heart surgery and cutting 
down on the need for expensive prescription medications.
  I salute Dr. Ornish for all of the hard work he has done on this 
issue for America.

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