WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, announced that he will be a founding member of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Buchanan co-founded the Caucus alongside Reps. John Joyce and Lloyd Smucker to focus on supporting Americans in living long, healthy and fulfilling lives through access to affordable, high-quality foods while improving access to primary care. Senator Roger Marshal will lead the Caucus in the Senate.
The Caucus will work closely with the incoming Trump Administration to build a stronger and healthier nation in the years ahead.
“The chronic disease epidemic accounts for the vast majority of healthcare costs, disabilities and deaths in the United States,” said Buchanan. “I look forward to partnering with Dr. Joyce, Rep. Smucker, Sen. Marshall and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to promote healthy lifestyles and further research into the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. It’s time to Make America Healthy Again.”
“As a doctor, I recognize that healthy foods and physical activity play an important role in every American life. I look forward to working with Congressman Smucker, Senator Marshall, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and my colleagues in the House in order to advance our shared goal to make America the healthiest country in the world,” said Rep. Joyce.
“I’ve spent my whole life in the Garden Spot of America. Pennsylvania’s 13th and 11th congressional districts are the largest agricultural communities in the Commonwealth. Through our abundant, locally grown, healthy, fresh food, I have seen the impact that diet can have on an individual’s health. In America, we have a health crisis with declining life expectancy, rising incidences of chronic diseases, and high rates of obesity. Unfortunately, too often federal policies have contributed to these alarming statistics. There is a real need to address these public health emergencies, and we must act now to pursue policies that will help Americans make more informed decisions about their health and wellness. I look forward to working with my friend and colleague Rep. John Joyce, members of the Make America Healthy Again Caucus in the House and Senate, and members of the incoming Trump administration like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to advance policies to help Americans lead healthier lives,” said Rep. Smucker.
Additional members of the MAHA Caucus include Reps. Brian Babin, Troy Balderson, Stephanie Bice, Diana Harshbarger, Nick Langworthy, Laurel Lee, David Rouzer, Pete Stauber and William Timmons.
Buchanan has been a strong advocate for policy-centric solutions to combat the burgeoning chronic disease epidemic. In September, he chaired a House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on investing in a healthier America and the critical role preventive medicine and healthy living play in combatting chronic disease.
In addition to being the Vice Chairman and most senior Republican on the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Buchanan is also the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, which has broad jurisdiction over traditional Medicare, the Medicare prescription drug benefit program and Medicare Advantage.
