Experts Predict 165 Million Americans Will Be Obese By 2030.
ABC World News (8/25, story 7, 2:00, Stephanopoulos) reported, “Tonight, sobering new numbers on America’s struggle with obesity.” A new series on obesity published in “the medical journal Lancet says if trends continue, half of all American men will be obese by 2030.”
Bloomberg News (8/26, Gerlin) reports, “US health-care spending will rise by as much as $66 billion a year by 2030 because of increased obesity if historic trends continue,” the study suggested. “Almost 100 million Americans and 15 million Britons are already considered obese, based on body-mass index,” while “another 65 million American adults and another 11 million British adults would join them in the next two decades based on past trends.”
The Washington Post (8/26, Huget) “The Checkup” blog reported that “The series, which had support from the federal government and foundations, is published in advance of the first High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly focused on non-communicable disease prevention and control, which will take place in New York City Sept. 19 and 20.”
According to CNN’s (8/26, Cooper) “The Chart” blog, one report in the series “includes suggestions for ways governments can implement policies that it says will reduce obesity and save money. Proposals include a tax on unhealthy foods and beverages, school programs to promote good nutrition and physical activity, and cutting junk food advertising.”
GOP Governors Face Dilemma In Resistance To Healthcare Reform.
The Wall Street Journal (8/26, A5, Weisman, Subscription Publication, 2.02M) says Republicans governors face a dilemma: if they oppose the new healthcare reform law, but don’t apply for grants to create health insurance exchanges, they risk having a federally run exchange forced on them. Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin all have Republican governors, but are taking the federal money. Kansas and Oklahoma have returned money previously accepted, while Florida and Louisiana have refused money. Yet the Washington Times (8/26, Cunningham, 77K) reports, “the growing rebellion in the states” against the healthcare reform law “shows few signs of easing,” with 17 states have enacting laws rejecting parts of the Affordable Care Act.
Sebelius Urged To Grant Michigan ACA Waiver.
The Detroit News (8/26) in an editorial argues that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should grant Michigan a waiver from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s provision that requiring that “health insurers spend at least 80 percent of their revenue from premiums on medical treatment and on efforts to improve the quality of care.” Michigan’s Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation found that “more than a dozen Michigan insurance firms would be hurt by that requirement and as many as eight might leave the state if it is enforced beginning next year.” The state “is asking for its medical loss ratio of 65 percent to be permitted” with the requirement rising “to 70 percent in 2012 and 75 percent in 2013.”
Over 24 Wisconsin Health Plans Granted Healthcare Reform Law Waivers.
The Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent (8/26, Bivins) reports over 24 “Wisconsin health insurance plans have been granted waivers from annual coverage limits required under the health care reform law.” Most are “‘mini-med’ plans, or plans that offer limited benefits to workers, that would have difficulty complying with the coverage requirements spelled out in the Affordable Care Act.” Steven Larsen, director of the Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight at HHS, “said the waivers are available for employers and insurers who can show that ‘complying with the regulation would cause their enrollees to experience a significant increase in premiums or decrease in access to benefits.’” He added, “We are committed to allowing Americans to keep the coverage they have and preventing disruptions in coverage.”
