Medicare Looking For Weight Loss Plans

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http://www.mercola.com/2004/aug/7/medicare_weight_loss.htm

 

Medicare Looking For Weight Loss Plans

 

 

Now that Medicare is considering paying for a

weight-loss program, they have transferred their focus

to extreme weight loss treatments such as stomach

bypass surgeries. A Medicare researcher stated they

are searching for a weight-loss program that will

provide long-term benefits. In November, members of

the Medicare advisory commission will begin

investigating the effectiveness of stomach-bypass

surgery.

 

Who is Getting These Stomach-Bypass Surgeries?

 

* In 2003, over 100,000 morbidly obese people

underwent stomach surgeries

* In order to qualify for the $30,000 procedure a

person must be at least 100 pounds over their ideal

weight and unable to succeed at other weight loss

methods

 

While several insurance providers offer coverage for

these procedures citing them as a way to reduce the

number of obesity-related health issues such as

diabetes and high blood pressure, Blue Cross Blue

Shield of Florida decided to discontinue their

coverage due to the risks and possible long-term

consequences of these procedures.

 

Medicare is expecting to receive a variety of

weight-loss programs from professionals in the fitness

field, but doctors haven't made any plans to look into

any other weight-loss treatments.

 

Statistics showed that nearly 7.4 million Medicare

recipients are classified as obese. They also revealed

that Medicare currently provides coverage for

obesity-related problems such as type 2 diabetes,

heart problems and many forms of cancer.

 

Tax dollars are already going toward covering the $39

billion in obesity-related medical costs.

 

News July 20, 2004

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Isn't it enough that nearly 20 percent of our budget

and trillions of dollars go toward a health care

system that doesn't work and transfers the majority of

the profits to drug companies that could care less

about your health?

 

Now to add insult to injury, Medicare is looking into

paying for stomach-bypass surgeries, which are riddled

with dangerous side effects not to mention low success

rates, as a way to fight obesity.

 

Needless to say, I am not an advocate of this

procedure when far more effective, healthy and less

expensive options exist.

 

A staggering 61 percent of American adults currently

meet the scientific definition of obesity, putting

them at increased risk of:

 

* Heart disease

* Diabetes

* Stroke

* Arthritis

* Depression

* Several forms of cancer

 

This is a problem of catastrophic proportions and one

that can be relatively easily corrected. Gastric

bypass may seem like the quick fix, however it is not

the solution because of its many negative long-term

health consequences.

 

The obesity problem is not caused by large amounts of

fat, but rather by the excess grain carbohydrates in

our diets. Anyone who has reviewed my Total Health

Program is familiar with this.

 

I strongly suggest, though, before you begin any kind

of regimen, learning your metabolic type. This is

absolutely essential if you want to optimize your

health and weight in the most rapid, financially

efficient and permanent manner.

 

Related Articles:

 

Concerns Raised Over " Stomach Stapling " Surgery for

Obese

 

Obesity Surgery Leaves Many in Misery

 

Obesity Surgery Exploding

 

How You Can Avoid Needless Surgeries

 

Modern Health Care System is the Leading Cause of

Death, Part III