Webster City - Healthcare @ Hamilton Hospital

Our second stop today brought us to Webster City and a visit to Hamilton Hospital.

It was great to be back in Webster City, and visit with folks there. Joining me was my good friend Senator Rich Olive, who has been a great voice for the people of this state.
One of the things Rich was instrumental in helping to pass was the Healthy Kids Act.

We have a very serious problem with childhood obesity in our country. For the first time in history, the life expectancy of our children is shorter than the generation before it. And we are starting to see Type II diabetes in kids, which was just unheard of a few years ago. When I was studying nursing (more than a few years ago!) Type II diabetes was known as an old persons disease. But today, because our kids diets are so bad, it is now developing in children.

So, as a former nurse, I am very concerned about this problem and have worked to try and reverse these trends. I was so proud when we passed the Healthy Kids Act two years ago.

This legislation removes the soda and junk food machines from our schools. I believe its time that we stop buying new scoreboards for our schools with the profits from feeding our children junk food.

The Healthy Kids Act also requires that kids get a certain amount of exercise each week. This legislation is helping to teach children the value of healthy living, and it is one of the things I am most proud of during my time in office.

Well, after leaving the current Hamilton hospital, we drove by the new hospital being built here in Webster City. Its always great to see new hospitals being built in a rural community. These buildings are more than just health care facilities. They demonstrate the commitment of the community to their health and well-being.

We are back on the road. This time to Boone.

Until next time,

Patty