[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 161 (Friday, October 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ST. JOHN'S HEALTH SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mr. BLUNT. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate St. John's 
Health System in Springfield, MO, for their work to improve the quality 
of health care services provided to our seniors. St. John's Health 
System was recently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services for their outstanding commitment to improving Medicare patient 
outcomes as participants in a new chronic disease management 
demonstration program.
  Nearly 70 percent of all deaths in America are attributable to 
chronic diseases. Chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and 
diabetes are some of the most common diseases but they are also the 
most preventable diseases. Working to prevent these diseases from being 
acquired in the first place should be our top priority. Managing these 
diseases so that adverse outcomes are minimized should be next on the 
list.
  Unfortunately, most of the health insurance programs that the Federal 
Government operates do not place the same prioritization in its payment 
policies. We don't encourage individuals to seek preventative care and 
we barely reward individuals who change their lifestyles when 
diagnosed. We pay in the end with the final bill, but the Federal 
Government doesn't pay for the course of treatment that will deliver 
better health outcomes and a longer, more productive life. Ultimately 
all Americans pay the price for the high costs of chronic diseases.
  Over the past 2 years St. John's Health System has participated in a 
national demonstration program. The results of this project will help 
to identify new, innovative models to deliver higher quality health 
care. St. John's was one of only five physician groups that achieved 
benchmark quality performance for all measures used during the 
evaluation. I am pleased that St. John's is being recognized nationally 
for their excellent care for the citizens of southwest Missouri. I hope 
that, following St. John's leadership, the final results of the 
demonstration program will bring meaningful changes in delivery of 
health care services for all of our seniors.

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