Governor Kaine Highlights "Healthy Virginians" Initiatives
Governor Kaine Highlights "Healthy Virginians" Initiatives
- Announces proposal to give state employees more access to wellness services -
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today highlighted a statewide "Healthy Virginians" kickoff, encouraging exercise and healthy eating habits among state employees, as he challenged Virginians to adopt healthier lifestyles. He urged Virginians of all ages to exercise more, practice healthy eating habits and get needed health screenings as part of a healthier lifestyle.
"During 2007, my administration will focus on encouraging a healthier Virginia, with the state workforce leading the way," Governor Kaine said, during remarks at a health fair at the Virginia Department of Health on Wednesday. "I encourage employers to develop or expand workplace wellness programs because healthier employees miss fewer days of work and are more productive."
The Governor also celebrated the achievement of three state employees who collectively lost more than 250 pounds over the past few months. Around 8,000 state employees participated in some facet of "Plan It My Weigh," a weight management program provided by CommonHealth, the Commonwealth's 20-year-old workplace wellness program. State employees will also be able to participate in "Lunch Well," a nutrition management program developed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield that stresses portion control and healthy food choices. The program kicks off in early 2007.
On Friday, Governor Kaine will also propose several healthy lifestyle initiatives as part of his budget amendment package. For state employees in particular, he will propose lifting the cap on wellness benefits to support state employees seeking to improve their health. Currently wellness and preventive care are covered at 100% with a $500 cap on immunizations, lab and x-ray work. The amendment will remove the cap associated with wellness and preventive care such as pap tests, mammograms, PSA tests and colonoscopies.
While at the Virginia Department of Health, the Governor and his guests had lunch at the "Healthy Way Café," a collaborative project with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, which offers a variety of low-fat sandwiches, salads and diet drinks. "Not every lunch has to be a burger and fries," Governor Kaine noted. "Healthy choices are out there if you look for them at lunch."
"Changing behaviors is not easy to do, but I believe it is critical to Virginia's future. We already have the best run state in the nation because of the dedication of our employees. Imagine how much stronger we would be if we all engaged in living healthier lifestyles" said Governor Kaine.
Below are the Governor's comments about the state employees featured at the health fair:
* Carlton Mabe, Virginia Western Community College - "After being diagnosed with congestive heart failure, Carlton has lost 158 pounds on his way to losing a total of 270 pounds. Through the Plan It My Weigh' program, Carlton learned how to eat healthier. No more gravy and taters,' as he says. Carlton claims the loss of weight is due to a total lifestyle change,' one where the most important things to him are what he eats, when he eats and how he eats."
* Sharita Bryant, Richmond Department of Motor Vehicles - "Sharita has lost over 100 pounds since the first of the year and says that the Plan It My Weigh' campaign gave her extensive incentives to eat healthy both at work and at home. She started her journey to lose weight with friends who had the same goal and now, she says, we've got a lot of celebrating to do' because of the weight loss. But no cupcakes, she insists."
* Shana Cisco, Southside Virginia Community College - "Shana says that through CommonHealth and its weight management program she is making healthier choices,' which she says is wonderful because she has never succeeded with any diet.' Her story shows that with determination and support from friends losing weight is possible."
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=302