Posted on 06/27/2012 9:55:53 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
In a move that could significantly expand insurance coverage of weight-loss treatments, a federal health advisory panel on Monday recommended that all obese adults receive intensive counseling in an effort to rein in a growing health crisis in America.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force urged doctors to identify patients with a body mass index of 30 or more — currently 1 in 3 Americans — and either provide counseling themselves or refer the patient to a program designed to promote weight loss and improve health prospects.
Under the current healthcare law, Medicare and most private insurers would be required to cover the entire cost of weight-loss services that meet or exceed the task force's standards.
That could all change Thursday, when the U.S. Supreme Courtis expected to rule on the constitutionality of President Obama's healthcare law, which requires adoption of certain recommendations from the task force, such as this one on obesity.
Few private health insurers now reimburse physicians for weight-loss counseling or pay for programs that patients seek out on their own. A growing number, in fact, charge obese patients more for coverage — a policy that some public health officials have denounced as punitive and ineffective.
The task force concluded after a review of the medical literature that the most successful programs in improving patients' health were "intensive, multicomponent behavioral interventions." They involve 12 to 26 counseling sessions a year with a physician or community-based program, the panel said.
Successful programs set weight-loss goals, improve knowledge about nutrition, teach patients how to track their eating and set limits, identify barriers to change (such as a scarcity of healthful food choices near home) and strategize on ways to maintain lifestyle changes, the panel found.
In some cases, programs include exercise sessions as well.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I failed to add the important word “not.” Sorry for the repost:
I guarantee that the government will not get the correct science necessary to give good advice. For an insight into some of the newest science on the matter, here is this post from today:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2730564/posts
And this, from December 20, 2010:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2678741/posts
It is becoming evident that it is the type of calories we eat and not how much of them you can burn off.
An HHS Department of Flensing could correct this problem with a simple mandate.
Yup, people who’ve been struggling for years with eating disorders that subject them to severe health risks and daily humiliations just need a good talking-to by the government.
As an Rn, I can only imagine and have nightmares. I’ve had nutrition classes. I was a borderline, pregnancy induced diabetic with my 3rd child, and nutritional counseling was prescribed. I had, and could only suffer through, one visit. “But you can eat some mayonnaise if you want on your food.” “I don’t eat mayonnaise.” “But you can if you want.” “I haven’t eaten it for years. I don’t eat it.” “But it’s ok if you want to...,” and on and on. I knew more about nutrition than she did. I was about 3 seconds from standing up and slapping her. “Hey, lady, I don’t eat mayonnaise. Why do you continue to talk about it?” And the kicker- she was herself obese.
Let me take a shot at it.
1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator!
2. Order the salad with lite dressing instead of the supersized Big Mac!
Bill the corporation $10,000.
And what if fat people tell the Fed to go pound sand? Will they be forced to live on fat farms, and watch wookie videos?
As if anyone’s going to listen to the people who made them fat in the first place.
Check out my repost. This illustrates how one can get it wrong with a simple error. The government’s simple errors can cost us big.
Great idea! Unless the SCOTUS rules otherwise, it’s the federal government’s job to regulate all health care. That’s interstate commerce, isn’t it? Given that, the only limit is our imagination. Good food, for example, is certainly related to good health, right? So is exercise. Even a good night’s sleep is a health concern. Therefore, there’s no excuse for not acting.
The federal government MUST mandate that insurance companies cover premium mattresses, top quality organic food, and fitness club memberships. That’s just a start. For example, a good mattress won’t provide a healthy night’s sleep if you don’t also have a climate controlled room to sleep in, fine food won’t help if you don’t have a dietitian, and good exercise isn’t possible without a personal trainer. Health insurance must cover it all!
Really, the sky is the limit. For example, mandatory exams will be required at every step to evaluate your health status and fitness progress. Yeah!
When all is said and done, only two exemptions to the mandatory coverages will be permitted. A woman will still have the right to murder their unborn child and homosexuals will still have the right to bugger their mates. See now? All hail the brave new world!
When will the First Wookie get her talking to?
Both ends of the spectrum go first. Skinny too weak. Fat, too fat, get fatty liver, die. Middle of the road keeps you going good. Little cushion can burn off and your liver isn’t hit too hard, still have muscle left.
The fat poor people will revolt, if they could get off the couch.
"controlling" obesity is only the beginning.
These people want control over EVERY aspect of your life.
OK, though I kind of caught an irony in the first version and that’s how I answered, with the same irony.
Epic. When do I get my gym membership, my EBT card specifically for Whole Foods, and my Sleep Member bed? I already know about the free cell phones, WIC and free Health Department health care.
How many more crematoriums must suffer? HOW MANY!?
Naw, if you’re fat your food stamps are only good for carrots, celery, lettuce, and V8 juice.
Or where you’ve gone from a six-pack to a full keg.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Eliminate food stamps to anyone who is overweight.
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I can one up that arguement, bills introduced in Congress stopping all food stamp purchases of unhealthy food. No BBQ Ribs, No fast food from 7/11, no icecream, apple pies, cakes, ect. Lets see the fat police back up their bs with law. I would be willing no democrat will vote to limit food assistance to the poor, forcing them to make healthy choices. For all their talk, most are full of crap.
If government is going to be in the food welfare business how about eliminating food stamps and cards entirely? Set up government warehouses to hand out (or deliver) essential supplies. I’m talking about bags of flour, sugar, rice, beans, milk, eggs, cheese, etc. NO prepared foods. NO snacks — just the basics.
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