Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge today appointed a "Wellness Commission" to try to improve the health of Iowans.
Judge, who is a former nurse, says the growing rate of childhood obesity and the number of Iowans being diagnosed with chronic illnesses are among the top challenges facing Iowa. "When people talk about health care, they equate health care with the problems that we all face in making certain that we have insurance coverage and that health care is affordable to our families," Judge says. "We really need to look beyong that and talk about ways that we can improve our health."
Judge has appointed a five-member commission that’s to hold a series of meetings across the state this summer to collect the opinions of Iowans on this subject. This fall, the commission is to present a report to the governor, making recommendations.
Judge has asked Dr. Seldon Spencer, a Democrat who ran against Congressman Tom Latham last November, to chair the commission.