Comprehensive Obesity Legislation Announced to Target America’s Costliest Disease

Bill Presented Today at Five Simulcast Events through the University of Wisconsin Health System and the Campaign to End Obesity

“Today, the Campaign to End Obesity, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Health System, unveiled Congressman Ron Kind’s (D-WI) recently authored, bipartisan legislation to comprehensively fight obesity. The event, which connected five locations throughout Wisconsin via live videoconferencing, detailed the bill’s first-of-a-kind approach to tackling the country’s costliest medical condition. The Healthy CHOICES Act brings together the leadership of the Campaign to End Obesity with the food industry, the health care industry and government to comprehensively fight the obesity epidemic. The bill is also significant in that it takes a comprehensive approach to combating obesity with provisions that address various sources contributing to unhealthy lifestyles. ‘This legislation reflects thoughtful and effective policies that can help Americans reach and sustain a healthy weight, and we are eager to partner with Congress to advance this much-needed measure,’ said Lee Kaplan, MD, Harvard University School of Medicine and Chairman of the Board, the Campaign to End Obesity. ‘Obesity contributes to the prevalence of more than 60 chronic diseases, and taxpayers, governments and businesses spend billions on obesity-related conditions each year, including an estimated $147 billion in medical costs.’”