Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) took part in a Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing today, discussing the importance of investing in a healthier America and focusing on chronic disease prevention and treatment.
During the hearing, Congresswoman Miller highlighted the severity of chronic diseases in West Virginia, stating, "Thank you for taking the time to be here, to help educate us, and to testify on such an important issue. It’s extremely personal to me and my constituents because I am from West Virginia and West Virginia has the highest rates of diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and kidney disease in the country. This is nothing to brag about, but it is something that constantly guides my work and the work of health care providers in my home state."
Miller shared success stories from food assistance programs aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles. She referenced the "Food is Medicine" program at Marshall Health Network as an effective initiative. "One effort that I have been very impressed by is the ‘Food is Medicine’ program at Marshall Health Network that’s in my hometown of Huntington. The ‘Food is Medicine’ program screens patients for food insecurity and social needs, provides medically indicated food assistance, and encourages nutritious food utilization," said Miller.
Dr. Mark Hyman from the Institute for Functional Health was asked by Miller about how food can aid in managing chronic diseases. Dr. Hyman responded by emphasizing the significant role diet plays across various illnesses: "I’ve been practicing for 30 years and I would say that food is the most powerful tool in my toolkit as a doctor for a broad range of diseases... Until we come to terms with the fact that in our country we’re going to not only threaten the health of our nation, we’re challenging our economy..."
Miller also discussed her proposed Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act with Dr. Anne Peters from USC Schaeffer. The bill aims to expand Medicare benefits for kidney disease screening and education. "Studies have overwhelmingly showed us that screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, and cancers can be the difference in a [patient’s] health journey," stated Miller.
Dr. Peters elaborated on this point: "I think those are incredibly powerful tools because if you don’t know you have a risk, you’re not going to go find out... education alone in many areas isn’t enough... We’ve done programs with churches; we’ve done programs with schools..."
Dr. Hyman further stressed early detection: “Screening is really important... That’s part of why co-founders of the company Function Health allows people access to their own biological data without having to go through insurance or doctors.”
The hearing underscored bipartisan efforts towards addressing chronic diseases through preventive measures like diet management and early screening.
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