A healthier America - snapshots - Senator Tom Harkin supports health causes

Better Nutrition, March, 2003 by Rob Morano

Everybody on Capitol Hill knows that Sen. Tom Harkin is a champion of the responsible use of vitamins, minerals and other supplements as an inexpensive means of increasing wellness and lowering health care costs.

But few people realize that Harkin, 63, also practices what he preaches. In fact, the Iowa Democrat not only eats well, he takes antioxidants and other supplements, and has even used bee pollen to treat his seasonal allergies. "Having successfully tried alternative and complementary medicines, I know that they offer great promise," he says.

Harkin, who joined the House of Representatives in 1974 and the Senate in 1984, has been at the forefront of dietary supplement, food and nutrition issues throughout his congressional tenure. That's because he sees the nation's agricultural bounty as the cornerstone of its strength. "Nutrition is an issue that affects every single American," he says. "It's an essential part of our nation's infrastructure."

No surprise, then, that Harkin has been an early and active supporter of causes such as Head Start, the federal program that provides nutritious breakfasts to disadvantaged schoolchildren. He's also taken the lead on improving food safety and finding new uses for agricultural products. Most recently, as the former chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, he oversaw passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, which President George W. Bush signed into law in May.

"I was proud to push through the bipartisan Farm Bill," Harkin says. "It wasn't everything we wanted, but it was a big step in the right direction." The legislation includes $6.4 billion for nutrition programs such as aid for needy families, food banks and soup kitchens. It also increases the number and kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables that are provided in schools: "I'm especially proud of that."

As chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Harkin also expanded food stamp coverage to include vitamins and minerals. He's a big believer that a wholesome diet and the right supplements can help improve wellness and cut health care costs. In 1991, he helped establish the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health to study the role of supplements and nontraditional therapies in improving overall health. And in 1994, he led passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, helping make supplements and herbs more accessible to consumers.

Recently Harkin has sought to make supplement purchases eligible for the same tax deductions as those received for prescription medicines and other health care products. He also has sought increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration to ensure the accuracy of supplement product claims and to overhaul reporting of adverse reactions. But Harkin says addressing supplements is just one of the key tasks ahead.

"Looking forward, we also need to make sure all of our children and families are eating as healthily as possible, and we must find new ways to curb childhood obesity," he says. "Because the health and safety of our food is an important part of national security, I intend to continue working with my colleagues and the president to make sure our food is as safe and healthy as possible."