Reuters Examines Obesity, Health Care Reform

Reuters on Thursday examined "the difficulties facing the United States as it confronts an epidemic of obesity, and the problems for President Barack Obama as he sets about extending health insurance to more Americans at a time of runaway costs." According to a 2000 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, the direct and indirect costs of obesity total $117 billion annually. About two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Adult obesity rates increased in 37 states last year, and did not fall in any state, according to not-for-profit Trust for America's Health.

Christine Ferguson, associate professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health and the director of STOP Obesity Alliance, said the stigma surrounding obesity and the belief that it is not a disease prevents the government from addressing the issue. "At the root of this is that people still have a real problem thinking about obesity as anything other than a willpower issue." She added, "It is still perfectly acceptable to think about excluding treatment."

Aetna Chair and CEO Ronald Williams said most large employers that purchase insurance from the company have at least one plan that covers bariatric surgery. However, he added, "The bigger end of the story is, 'How do we help people not become obese to begin with?'" He said, "If they are suffering the complications from being overweight or obese, how can we help them manage those conditions?"

Reuters also examined the difficulties lawmakers face in several states trying to pass legislation requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of bariatric surgery. Jeff Haaga, a lobbyist in Utah, said, "Insurers are covering people who are morbidly obese one way or the other, whether it's surgery or just keeping us alive with medication" (Sherman, Reuters, 1/22).


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