Burgess bill would extend scoring window for analyzing preventative health measures

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) introduced legislation this week that would force the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to analyze medical data, providing information on the savings of preventive health initiatives, beyond the traditional 10-year scoring window.

The measure, known as the Preventive Health Savings Act of 2015, was co-written by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO). It would update how CBO calculates scores for preventive health legislation, permitting a longer scoring window during which the office could assess the realization of long-term health savings expected from the implementation of certain preventive health initiatives.

“Minimizing the cost of a significant and complex problem such as chronic disease is not an easy or quick endeavor,” Burgess, chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, said. “Allowing the CBO to analyze scientific data, and having the ability to provide projects past the 10  year scoring window, will provide a more accurate projection for programs with children and other populations or diseases with longer development periods. This legislation is a responsible approach and will ensure that the government calculates the savings of preventative health.” 

The bill has the backing of a long list of health-related organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cleveland Clinic, Johnson & Johnson, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Weight Watchers, among others. 

“Preventive care is essential to keep Americans healthy and drive down unnecessary spending,” DeGette added. “Our laws prevent health care spending projections from taking into account long-term savings. It’s time we allow the CBO to make decisions based on science and informed by long-term cost projections. I look forward to continuing this bipartisan work that will save money and keep Americans healthy.”