Heidi Alexander: “I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of my remarks at the Senate Committee on Health, Education…”

“I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of my remarks at the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: WELLNESS HEARING WITH SURGEON GENERAL JEROME ADAMS Mr. ALEXANDER. Today we are holding a hearing with the Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, to hear his priorities on how to encourage people to lead healthier lives. Senator Murray and I will each have an opening statement. Then we will introduce Dr. Adams. After his testimony Senators will each have five minutes of questions. When Dr. Adams and I met before his confirmation hearing, I said to him that if, as Surgeon General, he threw himself at one important problem with everything he has, he could have a real impact on the lives of millions of Americans. At his confirmation hearing, he said, ``I would also make wellness and community and employer engagement a centerpiece of my agenda if confirmed. . . Our health starts in the communities where we live, learn, work, play, and go to school.'' Dr. Adams has said his first Surgeon General's Report will focus on health and the economy. It makes sense for that to be his focus, because there is a remarkable consensus that wellness--lifestyle changes like eating healthier and quitting smoking--can prevent serious illness and reduce health care costs.…”