News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A bipartisan coalition of 37 Tennessee House and Senate members have announced the formation of the Tennessee Legislative Wellness Caucus.
Caucus co-chairman and Cookeville State Representative Ryan Williams said the caucus will be focused on studying and developing solutions to the health and wellness issues facing the state’s citizens.
“We are really excited about it and trying to bring a focus about it,” Williams said. “As Tennesseans improve their health, our overall health care costs go down. There’s a selfish reason for it in terms of that, but also because those that are healthy are better and more productive citizens to our state.”
Williams said 33-percent of the state is considered obese. He hopes the new caucus will encourage more Tennesseans to exercise more and improve their eating habits.
An official announcement of the caucus will be held next Wednesday in Nashville. During the event, the Governor’s Foundation will share the results of a new study it commissioned the Sycamore Institute to conduct that highlights the economic impact chronic diseases have on Tennessee taxpayers and businesses.
