HHS, within one year after the date of the Affordable Care Act, shall establish publicly available guidelines for the health risk assessments. The guidelines will be developed in consultation with relevant groups and entities to ensure that a health risk assessment can identify chronic diseases, injury risks, modifiable risk factors, and urgent health needs of the individual.

HHS will also establish standards for interactive telephonic or internet programs used to furnish health risk assessments. HHS will encourage involving health information technology in this program.


Grants for Small Employer Wellness Programs

HHS will award grants to eligible employers to provide their employees with access to comprehensive workplace wellness programs. The grant programs will be conducted for five years. An eligible employer is one who employs fewer than 100 employees who work 25 hours or more per week and does not currently provide a workplace wellness program.

HHS will develop program criteria consistent with evidence-based research and best practices. $200,000,000 is appropriated for the program. An eligible employer's program will include:

--Health awareness initiatives (including health education, preventive screenings, and health risk assessments);

--Efforts to maximize employee engagement (including mechanisms to encourage employee participation);

--Initiatives to change unhealthy behaviors and lifestyle choices (including counseling, seminars, online programs, and self-help materials);

--Supportive environment efforts (including workplace policies to encourage healthy lifestyles, healthy eating, increased physical activity, and improved mental health).

Any eligible employer who wants to participate in the grant program will be required to submit an application to HHS, including a proposal for a comprehensive workplace wellness program that meet the criteria. The funding for this measure should begin in fiscal year 2011.

Vending Machines and Chain Restaurants Labeling

Finally, chain restaurants and food items in vending machines will be required to disclose nutritional information labeling. Regulations for this measure should be published within one year of the Affordable Care Act's enactment. For restaurants, the provision applies to establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations. The information to be disclosed by restaurants--in a clear and obvious manner, includes:

--The number of calories contained in each standard menu item and prepared for sale;

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