NE Valley Times

On February 11, 2025, Health Chairman Buchanan addressed the pressing issue of modernizing American health care. In his opening statement, he highlighted the significant challenges posed by chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, noting that "six in ten Americans have at least one chronic disease." He cited a report from the Partnership To Fight Chronic Disease which projects that Florida alone will face $3 trillion in costs related to chronic diseases from 2016 to 2030.

Buchanan expressed concern over these alarming statistics and committed to efforts aimed at reducing these rates. He also acknowledged Mr. Kennedy's prioritization of this issue within the current administration and expressed anticipation for his confirmation.

The statement also touched on the growing diabetes and obesity crisis in the United States. Buchanan noted that "over 45 percent of our nation’s adults are obese and over 20 percent of our nation’s children are obese." He mentioned a recent report by the Joint Economic Committee, led by Congressman Schweikert, which predicts that obesity could lead to $9.1 trillion in excess medical expenditures over the next decade.

To address these issues, Buchanan highlighted initiatives such as the Congressional Preventive Health and Wellness Caucus launched with Congresswoman Gwen Moore. This bipartisan group focuses on prevention strategies including Food as Medicine, exercise, stigma reduction, and addressing obesity's impact on military readiness.

Additionally, Buchanan mentioned Congressman Smucker's launch of the MAHA Caucus aimed at supporting healthy living through access to affordable foods and improved care access.

Buchanan commended his colleagues' efforts on these initiatives and expressed eagerness to collaborate further during this Congress session to combat these epidemics effectively.