Medicare redefines "obesity" as medical

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
Medicare redefines "obesity" as medical
95
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 5:19pm

Very interesting article and

 

  Shawna

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Hi Forte,

I have to agree with you; this change doesn't mean very much. On Nightly News, a couple nights ago, the news said in the Medicare population, 17% are overweight and 0.2% are obese. Medicare eligible individuals, generally, have the opposite problem (are underweight). The new language won't extend coverage to weight-loss drugs. Potentially, the might someday(but no time soon) open the program to covering surgery to shrink the stomach and intensive in- and outpatient programs at hospitals that provide diet and exercise management, but since only 0.2% of the Medicare served population are obese anyway (and presumably less than 0.2% morbidly obese, necessary to qualify for surgery in any case if-and-when Medicare approves surgery), it's just one of those "changes" that mean absolutely nothing.

How are you doing, Forte? I haven't been here recently, have catching up to do.

Astri

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Shawna,

I don't see the button at the bottom of the article, but oh well. As I said in another post, I don't see this as earth-shaking on the part of Medicare. I doubt it will mean anything. And really, taxpayers already foot the bill for $39 billion in medical costs related to obesity. Medicare and Medicaid programs now cover sicknesses caused by obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer and gallbladder disease, according to the CDC. The government also pays for a limited array of treatments for illnesses that can lead to obesity, such as thyroid problems. I don't think it's warranted. What it shows, Bush wants to get elected.

Astri

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
The button at the article is probably gone because the article is older and they are no longer having the discussion on it through Yahoo.

 

  Shawna

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2004
I have read, I think every post here and I didnt see one by someone who actually IS obese.

I am. I weigh 325lbs.

This is how I got there. Not by overeating. Not by not exercising. By bulimia.

I was born 32 years ago. Weighing in at 10lbs. My mother was horrified as I grew up because I was a heavy child. No surprise. Everyone in my family is heavy. From the age of 9 my mother gave me a daily dose of laxatives. These were supposed to help me be thin. Do you know what happens when you take laxatives constantly? Your body fights to absorb every single calorie that it gets. I was eating 900 calories a day and spent most of my time on the toilet.

Yeah, that was some years ago. I never broke out of that habit. I still take laxatives from time to time. I also exercise every single day. I run 5K a day and go to the gym after work. I eat 1200-1800 calories a day, depending on what I'm doing that day . I'm still fat. Still obese. Still....

There are SO may reasons why people are obese. So many stories. Don't simplify it by saying we eat too much. Don't simplify it by saying we're lazy and don't exercise. Sometimes our bodies, like in my case, are too afraid of letting it go. Too afraid of starving and too afraid of dying.

Is obesity a medical issue? I don't know. I know medications and surgeries won't help me. But if it helps someone else. If it helps that one girl whose mother calls her fat and forces laxatives down her throat...then I'd gladly help pay for it out of my own pocket.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004

That was a very nice post Susan (hope that is your real name!).

 

  Shawna

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2004
Yup, Susan is my real name.

Surgery --- since I'm in Canada, that isn't an option. The province I live in had only 1 doctor performing bariatric surgery and he retired. Since then, nobody has done it because it isn't covered by the government plans.

According to my doc, I wouldn't be a candidate for it anyway. I'm in too good shape for surgery. Since I exercise daily, I'm not at risk for a lot of diseases attributed to obesity. My medical workups are always perfect. I guess I'm lucky. I haven't completely destroyed my body .

I accept my body for what it is and how it looks. I don't begrudge people who are thin. I do often wonder how I would look had my mother just left me alone and let me grow naturally and not interfere with my body's ability to digest and burn food. I often think I would be thinner. But sitting and wondering doesn't do me any good.

Oh well...off to the gym!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
I was offended so you have been reported! Hugs, Brenda

Hugs, Brenda 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
You too! Hugs, Brenda

Hugs, Brenda 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
I second that.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Fear

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Ditto.

Kerstin

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Fear

Pages