[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 124 (Tuesday, October 5, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H8042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HELP PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES IN AMERICA

  (Mr. RYUN of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I am known for running a 4-minute 
mile, and while today I run a 4-minute half-mile, I still make running 
a priority. I know that exercise is preventative medicine at best. 
Healthy, active lifestyles could save $76 billion in health care costs 
each year. Health insurance companies clearly have an incentive to keep 
their beneficiaries healthy.
  There are 88 million inactive adults in the United States today. 
Sixty-one percent of adults exceed their target weight, increasing 
their risks for more than 30 illnesses, most of which are preventable. 
Exercise is beneficial to every age group, and for those over the age 
of 50, strength training has been proven to reduce osteoporosis and 
increase bone density.
  Insurance companies can do more to promote healthy living by offering 
incentives for those who exercise regularly and encouraging 
preventative health screenings.
  H. Con. Res. 34 commends the health insurance companies who are 
already acknowledging the benefits of exercise and rewarding their 
active beneficiaries and encouraging others to do the same. Join me in 
voting for H. Con. Res. 34 today and help promote healthy lifestyles in 
America.

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