Reps. Vander Veen, Shaffer, Amos, Newell, Ehardt, Mortimer, Kooiman, Stahl, Caul, Pappageorge, Garfield, Caswell, Wenke, Rocca, Richardville, Taub, Farhat, Julian, Pastor, Brandenburg, Casperson, DeRossett, Wojno, Brown, Clack, Hopgood, Hunter, Lipsey, Meyer, Phillips, Sheltrown, Voorhees, Adamini, Gleason, Shulman, Minore and Shackleton offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 170.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to make the treatment of chronic diseases a higher priority.

            Whereas, An estimated 125 million Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness, which includes such maladies as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, and many cancers.  Approximately 60 million people are afflicted with more than one of these conditions; and

            Whereas, Chronic illnesses, which are responsible for 7 of every 10 deaths, are the leading cause of death in our country.  More than 75 percent of state Medicaid spending goes toward the treatment of chronic illnesses, and more than half of Medicaid spending treats Medicaid enrollees who have more than one chronic disease; and

            Whereas, The health care system of the United States could more accurately be called a "sick care" system, as most costs are incurred in the treatment of acute episodes of chronic illnesses that, in many cases, could be avoided or lessened by preventive measures.  Many chronic diseases can be mitigated through improved diet, increased exercise, avoiding tobacco use, or other management steps.  In spite of this, our country spends only a fraction of its health care money on prevention; and

            Whereas, Many studies have demonstrated widespread problems with the quality of care delivered to individuals with chronic illnesses.  These studies often cite the absence of appropriate screening and follow-up care, inadequate coordination of treatment among health care providers, and many preventable and costly complications; and

            Whereas, There are structural barriers to improved treatment of chronic illnesses.  Specifically, Medicaid and Medicare do not encourage preventive steps or better coordination for the treatment of people with more than one disease.  Clearly, with the financial pressures in health care and the aging of our population, we need to take stronger steps to deal with chronic conditions in a more effective manner; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to make the treatment of chronic diseases a higher priority.  We urge federal policy makers to transform the regulatory, financial, and clinical structures for dealing with chronic diseases, including more support for preventive measures, better coordination of care, and the removal of regulatory barriers within Medicaid and Medicare; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.