[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 INTRODUCTION OF THE HEALTHY WORKFORCE ACT OF 2009, WHICH WOULD AMEND 
THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 TO PROVIDE A TAX CREDIT TO EMPLOYERS 
FOR THE COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to introduce the 
Healthy Workforce Act of 2009. In order to alleviate our public health 
crisis, we must make it easier for Americans to make small, easy 
choices that improve their overall health. With many Americans spending 
more than half of their day at work, it makes sense to encourage our 
places of employment to offer the information, opportunities and 
support they need to make healthy choices.
  The Healthy Workforce Act provides companies with an up to fifty 
percent tax credit for implementing employee wellness programs. These 
programs can include, but are not limited to, health education or 
health risk assessments, behavioral change programs that encourage 
healthy lifestyles, such as classes on nutrition or smoking cessation, 
and to support environment changes to encourage employee participation. 
Programs like this have a myriad of positive benefits for personal 
health, employee productivity, workplace environment and the economy.
  There can be no doubt that America is facing a public health crisis: 
63 percent of Americans are overweight and 31 percent are obese. Even 
more alarming, according to the Surgeon General, obesity is responsible 
for 300,000 deaths per year. This crisis not only impacts the daily 
lives of many Americans, but the bottom line for American companies. 
Average employer medical costs increased 72 percent between 2000 and 
2006, with some companies spending more than fifty percent of their 
profits on employee health care expenses. Employers are increasingly 
bearing the costs of diet-related chronic disease and obesity through 
employer-provided health care plans and indirectly through higher rates 
of absenteeism, decreased productivity and higher health care costs. 
Obesity related health conditions cost employers approximately $33 
billion in health care and other indirect costs.
  The Healthy Workforce Act of 2009 will make it easier for companies 
to encourage their employees to make healthy decisions and in turn, 
decrease health care costs for employers, employees, and taxpayers.

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