Health act would help prevent obesity in Iowa

A recent Gazette article (“Iowa and others losing war on obesity,” Aug. 14) reported that Iowa has moved from the 20th to the 18th fattest state with an obesity rate of 29 percent. We are gaining on No. 1-ranked Mississippi.

Gov. Terry Branstad started the Healthiest State Initiative in October 2011. Unfortunately, since then, Branstad has spent too much time fighting the Affordable Care Act.

Branstad joined the failed lawsuit against the ACA. He refused to take action on creating a state insurance exchange. He has announced he will reject federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage for Iowans.

Take a look at the ACA and you will see emphasis on preventive care such as cancer screenings, immunizations and wellness checkups.

Obesity increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. All of these are costly to our society. The ACA requires new health insurance plans to include obesity screenings.

The ACA is clearly meant to be collaborative, building on many long-standing programs and involving national health organizations, state governments and communities. Remember, in 2009, Republicans worked diligently in bipartisan committees with the Democrats to forge this plan.

We need to keep moving forward with support of the ACA, the Healthy Kids Act and increased funding for community wellness and tobacco cessation programs.

Bruce R. Bachmann

Cedar Rapids