As prepared for delivery.

“Thank you to the witnesses for being here today to discuss a crucial issue before us, Modernizing American Health Care: Creating Healthy Options and Better Incentives.

“Chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease are skyrocketing. Six in ten Americans have at least one chronic disease. 

“According to the Partnership To Fight Chronic Disease, the projected total cost of chronic disease from 2016-2030 in Florida is $3 trillion dollars.

“These statistics are baffling and troubling, and I am committed to helping lower these deadly rates. 

“This nation’s chronic disease epidemic is out of control. I for one am excited that Mr. Kennedy has put this issue at the forefront of this administration, and I look forward to seeing him confirmed. 

“I am also excited to say that this committee is spearheading hearings and markups that will hopefully lead toward better health results and outcomes for Americans throughout this country.

“For example, last year, this committee passed the bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act by a unanimous vote of 38-0.

“This important legislation would expand access to cutting-edge cancer screenings for America’s seniors.

“While America invests less than 3 percent of health care spending on these services, initiatives like these are important to lowering overall costs and expanding access to life-saving services.

“Congresswoman Malliotakis, along with Representatives McGovern, Evans and Fitzpatrick also introduced legislation to establish a pilot program through Medicare to provide medically tailored meals to seniors. 

“I was happy to see that this important initiative was included in my American Medical Innovation and Investment Act that passed out of this committee unanimously. 

“Since the last Subcommittee hearing, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with numerous groups committed to fighting these issues. Covering the majority of insured lives, at 180 million lives, employers are one group that can help us battle the chronic disease epidemic . 

“Employers can incentivize employees to be the CEO of their own health.

“In fact, 72% of employers saw reduced health care costs after starting a wellness program.

“Last week, Congressman Panetta and I reintroduced The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act. 

“This important legislation allows for employers who offer high-deductible health plan (HDHP) coverage for their employees the option of including pre-deductible coverage for services that treat chronic illnesses.

“At the end of the day, we can be empowered to take charge of our own health through key flexibilities, including Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) that encourage us to invest in our health.

“We have another growing crisis on our hands: the skyrocketing diabetes and obesity epidemic. Over 45 percent of our nation’s adults are obese and over 20 percent of our nation’s children are obese. 

“The Joint Economic Committee, led by Congressman Schweikert, is taking the obesity epidemic seriously. 

“In a recent report, the committee found that Obesity will result in up to $9.1 trillion in excess medical expenditures and cause the Federal government to spend $4.1 trillion over the next 10 years. 

“To bring awareness to these issues, Congresswoman Gwen Moore and I launched the Congressional Preventive Health and Wellness Caucus.

“Our bipartisan group focuses on prevention, Food as Medicine, exercise, stigma, obesity’s effect on military readiness and physical fitness. 

“I’d like to thank Congresswoman Moore for joining me in this critical initiative, and I urge my fellow members of this subcommittee to join the caucus. 

“Congressman Smucker also recently launched the MAHA Caucus to focus on supporting Americans in living long and healthy lives through access to affordable, high-quality foods while improving access to care.

“These are just some of the many examples of great work that members of this Committee are working on to combat these issues, and I applaud their efforts.

“We are about to hear from a great group of folks who are on the front lines of tackling these chronic conditions and ensuring prevention and early detection is a main priority in the medical field. 

“I look forward to working with all of my colleagues this Congress to tackle this epidemic.”