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Congressional Hearing Examines Supplements Impact on HealthCare Costs
October 11, 2004
4 Min Read
Congressional Hearing Examines Supplements Impact on HealthCare Costs
WASHINGTONRep. Dan Burton(R-Ind.), chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Human Rights& Wellness (http://reform.house.gov), held an oversight hearing on Sept. 22,entitled Dietary Supplements: Natures Answer to Cost Preventive Medicine.Testimony focused on dietary supplements ability to serve a preventive rolein individual health care, as well as the possible cost savings to the U.S.health care system from such use.
I, along with millions of Americans, firmly believe thatdietary supplements have been shown through credible scientific research andhistorical use to be of immeasurable benefit to human health, Burton said.I believe when used responsibly, and in consultation with a primary carephysician, these products can greatly enhance an individuals overall personalhealth.
The hearing set the stage for the release of a study conductedby the Lewin Group, a market research firm, that demonstrated more than $15billion in potential health care cost reductions with supplement use.
The study was sponsored by the Dietary Supplement EducationAlliance (DSEA), an industry-funded, not-for-profit organization with a missionto improve public health by communicating the benefits of dietary supplements.
According to the results of the study, calcium supplementscould prevent 734,000 hip fractures in the over-65 population, producing netsavings of $13.9 billion in the next five years. Use of folic acid supplementsfor preventable neural tube birth defects (NTDs) could save $1.3 billion inlifetime costs by preventing approximately 3,000 of the birth defects over thenext five years.
We are very pleased to have a solid study prepared bywellrespected researchers that documents the importance of supplements to healthcare cost management, stated Elliott Balbert, chief executive officer (CEO)of Natrol and DSEA president. This clearly demonstrates to legislators andother decision-makers that supplements have the potential to save health caredollars.
Specific findings of the study include:
Calcium: Using a Congressional Budget Office (CBO-type) costaccounting methodology, the estimate of the five-year (2005-2009) net savings inhospital, nursing facility and physician expenditures resulting from a reductionin the occurrence of hip fractures among the over-65 population through dailyintake of 1,200 mg of calcium with vitamin D is $13.9 billion.
Folic acid: The total lifetime cost of a baby with an NTD in2004 is roughly $532,000. Of 64 million American women who are of childbearingage, if just 10.5 million additional women began taking 400 mcg/d of folic acidbefore conception, approximately 600 babies would be born without NTDs per year.Over five years, $1.3 billion in lifetime costs could be saved.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Recent studies have suggested omega-3fatty acids have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD accounted for 38.5 percent of all deaths in the UnitedStates in 2001, including approximately 150,000 individuals under age 65. Thecost of CVD in 2004 is estimated at $368.4 billion. The DSEA review foundconsistent evidence that omega-3 fatty acids help reduce deaths from CVD. Inaddition, there are studies demonstrating that omega-3s may help lower bloodpressure, reduce the risk of reblockage after an angioplasty, increase exercisecapacity in people with coronary atherosclerosis, and reduce the risk associatedwith irregular heartbeats.
Glucosamine: This specialty nutrient has been shown to haveantiinflammatory effects and is believed to repair and maintain cartilage. In order to further advance the science, the NationalInstitutes of Health, National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine(NCCAM), is now supporting two randomized, double blind studies of glucosamine.
Saw Palmetto: A recently released review of clinical trialsof the herb also found that saw palmetto reduces the symptoms of BPH, increasesurinary flow, improves the quality of life and is well tolerated, and may beconsidered a viable first-line therapy for treating lower urinary tract symptomsassociated with BPH.
Many industry experts have long believed access tosupplements provides consumers with long-term health benefits by reducing theincidence of debilitating health problems, said David Seckman, CEO of theNational Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) and a DSEA board member. Thisstudy provides evidence to support both the health promotion and diseaseprevention benefits of selected supplements, as well as potential cost savings.
Additional testimony was provided by Paul Coates, Ph.D.,director of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutesof Health (NIH), who described research and education initiatives underway atNIH; Jeff Blumberg, Ph.D., associate director of the Jean Mayer U.S. Departmentof Agricultures Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University,and Barbara Levine, Ph.D., associate clinical professor of nutrition in medicineand director of the Nutrition Information Center at Weill Medical College ofCornell University, discussing the scientific research behind dietary supplementuse; and Balbert, who spoke about the importance of educating Americans aboutdietary supplements and the need for full implementation of the DietarySupplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
Testimony concluded with actress, author and health advocateMarilu Henner. Henner described why she believes consumers should have access tomore information about dietary supplements and why the products should be mademore accessible through government initiatives and private health plans. Ibelieve it is important for consumers to have information about dietarysupplements and to have access to supplements through their government andprivate health plans,
Henner said. I believe dietary supplements should be partof a campaign to improve our nations health.
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