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LANSING, Mich. (WLS) - In an attempt to combat Michigan's childhood obesity epidemic, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Wednesday that the state would begin tracking kids' body mass index through the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Although the policy would be one of the most extensive government anti-childhood obesity efforts, pediatricians were divided over whether it would have the desired impact.
The tracking system would require pediatricians to calculate patients' BMI using height and weight measurements, and report these numbers to the state through the existing immunization tracking system, the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. The numbers would be reported anonymously, meaning that the child's identity would not be connected to his or her BMI in state records.
The hope is that having doctors track height and weight in this way would encourage more discussion among parents, kids and doctors about the dangers of being overweight, says Geralyn Lasher, director of communications at the Executive Office of the Governor.
The new policy does not require doctors to discuss obesity with kids and parents, nor does it provide physicians with the extra time or training needed to discuss weight problems -- a narrowness of focus that some doctors believes will limit the policy's effectiveness.
Others questioned the policy's use of BMI, an obesity metric some pediatricians call oversimplified and misleading, especially in children.
WLS 890AM
What the heck is wrong with these Republicans?
No they weren't counting on anything as this. The governor has alot of explaining to do.LANSING, Mich. (WLS) - In an attempt to combat Michigan's childhood obesity epidemic, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Wednesday that the state would begin tracking kids' body mass index through the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Although the policy would be one of the most extensive government anti-childhood obesity efforts, pediatricians were divided over whether it would have the desired impact.
The tracking system would require pediatricians to calculate patients' BMI using height and weight measurements, and report these numbers to the state through the existing immunization tracking system, the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. The numbers would be reported anonymously, meaning that the child's identity would not be connected to his or her BMI in state records.
The hope is that having doctors track height and weight in this way would encourage more discussion among parents, kids and doctors about the dangers of being overweight, says Geralyn Lasher, director of communications at the Executive Office of the Governor.
The new policy does not require doctors to discuss obesity with kids and parents, nor does it provide physicians with the extra time or training needed to discuss weight problems -- a narrowness of focus that some doctors believes will limit the policy's effectiveness.
Others questioned the policy's use of BMI, an obesity metric some pediatricians call oversimplified and misleading, especially in children.
WLS 890AM
More "small" government, brought to you by the Republican Party. Wasn't Rick Snyder a tea party candidate? Is this what conservatives and tea partiers were voting for last year, to have big brother government track the weight of kids throughout the state?
In his first major health care speech, Snyder called for creation of the MIHealth Marketplace, a non-profit firm that would oversee the sale of health insurance to uninsured adults or small businesses struggling to provide workplace coverage starting in January, 2014.
Federal tax credits will be available to eligible consumers and businesses that purchase insurance through the exchanges.
Snyder outlined the plan and other health initiatives in a speech this morning at a federally-funded health clinic in Grand Rapids.
The Obama Administrations Affordable Care Act requires states to have plans for a marketplace by January 1, 2013 and to be open for business the following January 1.
But the law gives states options, including making the marketplaces part of a state agency or creating either a new public entity or a non-profit company the route Snyder proposed. [...]
At least 520,000 Michiganders will be covered by insurance purchased through the new program, said Steven Hilfinger, Snyders point man for the initiative and director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Hilfinger said the marketplace will:
Sell health insurance at four different pricing structures: from the least expensive bronze policies with basic benefits and the lowest monthly premiums to platinum policies with the most benefits and highest monthly costs.
Provide side-to-side comparisons of plans in the ranges requested by a consumer or business using the marketplaces Web site.
Be governed by a board of directors set up by the governor and advised by a committee of consumers, businesses and other stakeholders.
