According to
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/diet.fitnes...y.ap/index.html Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson has altered Medicare policy to remove the language that stated that obesity was not an illness. The implication of removing this language is that HHS will now consider certain treatments related to obesity and associated illnesses to be covered under medicare.
QUOTE
"With this new policy, Medicare will be able to review scientific evidence in order to determine which interventions improve health outcomes for seniors and disabled Americans who are obese," Thompson told a Senate panel on Thursday.
With the removal of language in Medicare policy that said obesity is not an illness, beneficiaries will be able to request a government review of medical evidence to determine whether certain treatments for obesity can be covered.
The implications for this ruling could extend to private insurers, allowing beneficiaries to pursue medication and treatments that may have been too expensive to consider previously.
This also opens the door for a potential approach to prevention by perhaps allowing for CDC or HHS sponsored education activities aimed at nutrition and exercise lifestyles.
Questions for debate:
1) Do you agree with Medicare declaring Obesity an illness? Why or why not?2) Given that the government already shells out millions a year in treatment of illnesses related to obesity, does the potential extension of this entitlement legitimize medical treatment for lifestyle choices? (ie, vs. cancer treatment for smokers)3) Outside of approving medical procedures for obesity, what can HHS and CDC do to give a Federal front to the "war on the waistline"?