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Cost of Obesity Could Cripple Government Programs and Health Insurance Companies
The Obesity Epidemic continues to impact on the American economy as well as its people. Over the past 10 years spending on obesity related medical problems has incrased by 87%, reaching $147 billion in 2008. It is estimated that each obese patient costs health insurance companies and government health programs approximately $1429 more each year than a person of a healthy weight. This means that obese people are costing the country 42% more in health bills.
Obesity rates continue to rise in America (and most other developed nations) which is going to place further burden on health services in future years. It is now thought that 32% of all American adults are obese (i.e. BMI is over 30).
President Barack Obama has pledged that he wants to reduce the rising cost of health care and to provide improved services to the American people. It is becoming apparent that action has to be taken on a national level if America is to ever have a state funded health care system, as currently obesity is going to cripple the economy.
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Reference: http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/short/hlthaff.28.5.w822
Abstract: In 1998 the medical costs of obesity were estimated to be as high as $78.5 billion, with roughly half financed by Medicare and Medicaid. This analysis presents updated estimates of the costs of obesity for the United States across payers (Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers), in separate categories for inpatient, non-inpatient, and prescription drug spending. We found that the increased prevalence of obesity is responsible for almost $40 billion of increased medical spending through 2006, including $7 billion in Medicare prescription drug costs. We estimate that the medical costs of obesity could have risen to $147 billion per year by 2008. [Health Affairs 28, no. 5 (2009): w822-w831 (published online 27 July 2009; 10.1377/hlthaff.28.5.w822)]
Notes:
- Medicare is a social health insurance program administered by the American government, which provides health insurance to people from 65 year old, or who meet other special criteria.
- Medicaid is the United States health program for people on low incomes that cannot afford private health insurance.
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One Response to “Cost of Obesity Could Cripple Government Programs and Health Insurance Companies”
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if they charge obese people more for health insurance then the insurace should cover extensive weight loss and healthy living programs for everyone including gym memberships/personal trainers/nutritionists etc.