The Heavy Burden of the Obese

There was an interesting article in the paper this morning. First, I learned that there exists a group called "The Obesity Action Coalition." They are an interest group that advocates for the rights, and evidently, the dignity of the obese. Secondly, I learned that they are upset.

Recently, a man fell critically ill in Topeka, Kansas. An ambulance was called for. When the ambulance arrived, the medics discovered that the man would not fit inside the ambulance. Even if he would fit, they were unable to move him because he was too heavy. He weighed over 1,000 lb.s. They had to use a forklift to load the man onto the bed of a flatbed truck to get him to the hospital, where another forklift was used to unload him. It turns out that the growing obesity of Americans is causing some difficulties for the medical profession beyond simply providing for their care. Special ambulances are sometimes needed for their transportation. Once at the hospital, special beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and bathrooms may be required. The cost of these needed provisions and accommodations has caused medical providers to consider adding additional fees. They want to pass the costs of these accommodations along to the patients who require them. That is why the National Obesity Coalition is upset.

The National Obesity Coalition believes that since health care is a right, singling out the obese and requiring them to pay more for health care services is unfair, even discriminatory. They believe that the accommodations required for the care of the obese are no different than the accommodations required for the needs of any other patient and that it is the job of the health care system to provide them.

Proponents of the added fees point out that many obese patients welcome the special accommodations made for them and do not mind paying the extra fees if it means that they can receive needed care and save them the indignity of having to be transported to the hospital on the bed of a flatbed truck. Since obesity is a growing problem in the U.S., the cost of caring for the obese and making provisions for them is only going to increase. There is concern over who should be responsible for these added costs; the medical providers, the insurance companies, or the people who require those services. Naturally, no one wants to pay. But someone has to. If national health care is enacted, we might all have to pay; unless Congress decides to start taxing people by the pound.

The interesting thing is, there are cures for obesity.