WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2017) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) today made the following statement on H.R. 3168 and H.R. 3178, “Medicare Part B Improvement Act of 2017”
Chronic disease affects us all – more than 191 million Americans have at least one chronic condition and the number of Americans with multiple chronic conditions continues to rise rapidly, and with that, the number of family caregivers. Further, 90 cents of every health care dollar is spent treating people with one or more chronic condition. We need reform efforts dedicated that prevent, detect, treat, and manage chronic conditions effectively to lessen the human and economic toll.
These bi-partisan pieces of legislation focus on important issues faced by the millions of Americans in the U.S. with one or more chronic condition, in particular, coordinated care delivery, value-driven payment models, special needs plans, and telehealth opportunities.
PFCD applauds legislation that recognizes the serious need to address chronic disease, not only to save and improve lives and strengthen our economy, but also because prevention and better management of costly chronic conditions is mission critical to the future of health care in our country. Recent data forecast that by 2030, chronic diseases could cost our economy $42 trillion dollars. However, with better prevention and treatment of chronic disease, 1,100,000 lives and $534 billion could be saved annually in the U.S.
PFCD and its partners continue to challenge, educate and mobilize policymakers and all stakeholders to elevate chronic disease prevention and advocate for policies supporting better management of chronic conditions. This legislation is geared for positive change.