(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced new legislation this week designed to combat our nationwide child obesity epidemic.  According to the Surgeon General over 12.5 million American children are overweight – dangerously increasing their risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious health problems.

McMorris Rodgers’ legislation stops this disturbing trend by establishing grants creating a demonstration project that would voluntarily monitor children’s heart health.  H.R. 3197, the Kids with Healthy Hearts Act, provides grants to school districts to take the blood pressure readings of children in kindergarten through sixth grade.  These tests would identify children with hypertension or early signs of hypertension.  Once diagnosed, parents can consult with their doctor or school nurses on the appropriate course of treatment.

“This bill teaches our children to lead healthy lives,” McMorris Rodgers said.  “Preventative testing will warn parents years before their children develop diabetes, heart trouble or other health problems tied to childhood obesity.  Parents need as many tools as they can get to teach their children healthy habits and my hope is that this legislation will make their job easier.” 

“As we consider health care reform in this country, I believe prevention of disease should be one of the priorities,” McMorris Rodgers said.  “Instead of government bureaucrats standing between you and your doctor in an effort to control costs, we should identify, treat and ultimately prevent unnecessary, expensive and life-threatening health problems.”

Contact:
Destry Henderson
202-225-2006
202-279-0418