Steven H. Woolf, M.D., M.P.H., of Virginia Commonwealth University, moderated the discussion and commended the PFCD for bringing attention to CBO scoring methods in the context of health policy.

Earlier this year the PFCD released CBO Guiding Concepts, outlining three areas for improvement in scoring disease prevention and wellness initiatives: the timeframe of analysis, the transparency of assumptions, and the broader economic impact. PFCD also wrote to Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid, urging Congress to call on CBO to incorporate new data on disease prevention and management.

"Recognition of the opportunity to achieve the long-term benefits of investment in disease prevention and management initiatives would provide a positive framework for making critical health policy decisions," said Thorpe. "As Congress and the Administration continue to work on health reform, it is important that our lawmakers have the best information available regarding the costs and benefits of health reform proposals."

About the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease:

The PFCD is a national and state-based coalition of more than 120 patients, providers, community organizations, business, labor and health policy experts, committed to raising awareness of policies and practices that save lives and reduce health costs through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease. For more information, please visit www.fightchronicdisease.org.

The white paper can be accessed at www.fightchronicdisease.org.

PFCD's CBO Guiding Concepts can be accessed at '/>"/>