Healthcare Leadership Council Applauds House Budget Committee Action on Preventive Healthcare Legislation

“Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act” Will Open Pathway for Programs to Combat Chronic Disease

WASHINGTON – The Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC), a coalition of chief executives from all disciplines within American healthcare, today applauded the House Budget Committee for advancing legislation that will allow Congress to more easily request CBO estimates of preventive health measures that provide a long-range view of the programs’ budgetary impact. HLC called upon the full House to pass the measure.

The committee unanimously passed the “Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act,” which will change the way Congress views the budget impact of preventive health initiatives. The legislation will enable lawmakers to request Congressional Budget Office budget impact estimates for up to 30 years instead of the conventional 10-year window. This change is essential for accurately analyzing preventive health legislation that generates savings over a longer period of time.

Maria Ghazal, HLC President and CEO, said, “This legislation, a longtime priority of Dr. Burgess’s, is a critical component to addressing the chronic disease escalation in this country that accounts for seven of every 10 deaths. By removing obstacles to preventive health programs, we can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare spending in the long term. We urge Congress to pass this important measure.”

For Immediate Release: February 6, 2024
Contact: Kelly Fernandez, (202) 449-3452