HR0418 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0418 LRB098 12215 MST 46298 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Leading health and nutrition experts agree that nutrition status is a direct measure of patient health and that good nutrition and good patient health can keep people healthy and out of institutionalized health care facilities, thus reducing healthcare costs; and

WHEREAS, Inadequate or unbalanced nutrition, known as malnutrition, is not routinely viewed as a medical concern in the U.S., and that malnutrition is particularly prevalent in vulnerable populations, such as older adults, hospitalized patients, or minority populations that statistically shoulder the highest incidences of the most severe chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, Illness, injury, and malnutrition can result in the loss of lean body mass, leading to complications that impact good patient health outcomes, including recovery from surgery, illness, or disease; the elderly lose lean body mass more quickly and to a greater extent than younger adults and weight assessment (body weight and body mass index) can overlook accurate indicators of lean body mass; and

WHEREAS, The American Nursing Association defines therapeutic nutrition as the administration of food and fluids to support the metabolic processes of a patient who is malnourished or at high risk of becoming malnourished; and

WHEREAS, Access to therapeutic nutrition is critical in restoring lean body mass such that it resolves malnutrition challenges and, in turn, improves clinical outcomes, reduces health care costs, and can keep people and our communities healthy; and

WHEREAS, Despite the recognized link between good nutrition and good health, nutritional screening and therapeutic nutrition treatments have not been incorporated as routine medical treatments across the spectrum of health care; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage states that provide Medicaid coverage to examine the benefits of routine nutritional screening and therapeutic nutrition treatment for those who are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition, as well as examine the benefits of nutrition screening and therapeutic nutrition treatment as part of the standard for evidenced-based hospital care; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support an increased emphasis on nutrition through the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, as well as for Medicare beneficiaries, to improve their disease management and health outcomes; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage preventive and wellness services, such as counseling for obesity and chronic disease management, to be a part of the Essential Health Benefits package included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the President of the United States, the Vice-President of the United States, members of the Illinois delegation of United States House of Representatives, Illinois Senators Richard J. Durbin and Mark Kirk, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.