New House bill would encourage seniors to stay healthy

A group of bipartisan Senators and Representatives introduced a bill on Wednesday aimed at strengthening Medicare by keeping seniors healthy.

The proposed legislation would create a volunteer-based program designed to help motivate Medicare beneficiaries to get and stay healthy by providing financial incentives for reaching achievable goals set with their physician.

The program would be called the Medicare Better Heath Rewards program and would be the first program to offer Medicare participants financial rewards for reaching health care goals.

“Medicare is a critically important program that folks like my mom depend on, and failure to save and strengthen it threatens the health and retirement security for all Americans,” Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) said. “The Better Health Rewards program is an innovative, bottom-up way to encourage seniors to live healthier lifestyles and help preserve this valuable program.”

Griffin is one of the bill’s cosponsors. Other members of Congress who signed their name to the legislation include Sens. Ron Wyden (R-Ore.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Reps. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Martha Fudge (D-Ohio).

First year participants of the program would be assessed in the areas of health, tobacco usage, body mass index, diabetes indicators, blood pressure, cholesterol and vaccinations and screenings. Progress would be measured during subsequent wellness visits in years two and three of the program.

Participants who achieve and maintain their indicator targets would be eligible for up to $200 after the second visit and up to $400 after their third visit.