The Forgotten Medical Costs of Obesity in America

American Congressional health reformers have spent a lot of time debating health care spending in recent months. Most of these reformers agree that the country's medical outlays are too high, and they are seeking ways to cut costs. Their primary target has been health insurance. Both the Senate and House reform bills feature a new public insurance option. While health insurance grabs the spotlight, another important driver of healthcare costs - obesity - has largely been ignored. A recent study aims to change that.

Published this week in Health Affairs, the study attributes nearly 10 percent of U.S. health spending, almost $147 billion, to obesity. The authors point out that although private insurers shoulder a greater burden, public payers (Medicare and Medicaid) also face increased expenditures. According to the study, spending for an obese patient costs an insurer about $1,400 more than a normal weight patient.

With these findings the authors demonstrate the financial impact of obesity in America.
They also suggest that devising new insurance structures will not resolve the problem of increasing healthcare costs. To "bend the cost curve," health reform must address obesity. In their concluding discussion, the authors articulate this message:

although health reform may be necessary to address health inequities and rein in rising health spending, real savings are more likely to be achieved through reforms that reduce the prevalence of obesity and related risk factors, including poor diet and inactivity. These reforms will require policy and environmental changes that extend far beyond what can be achieved through changes in health care financing and delivery.

Hopefully some health reformers in Washington are listening.

Contact Sam: samjmhealth@gmail.com
Photo credit: Clara Molden/PA Wire