Health Care Reform Research Paper

Health Care Reform and the Impact of Obesity
Murray State University

While so many Americans are focusing on the health care reform and what impact it will have on their insurance coverage, a number of positive health provisions are included within the bill itself. Obesity prevention and treatment is one of the important and positive provisions being addressed. Obesity is a very complex epidemic with social, health and economic factors involved. Due to this, addressing this issue will require active participation and support from government agencies, health care professionals, school systems, food industries, parents/caregivers and the community as a whole. Promoting healthy food choices and
An estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity (USDHHS, 2007). The new healthcare reform is providing millions of dollars in funding and grants in a push for wellness and preventative care resources for Americans. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced that part of the 2010 Health Care Reform Bill will add produce to school lunches, support grocery stores that sell produce in poor neighborhoods and invest money in the CDC to fund initiatives that fight obesity (DIGITAL JOURNAL, 2009). First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let’s Move campaign in February 2009 in an effort to solve the challenge of childhood obesity. This campaign includes educating parents and children of the importance of making healthy choices, ensuring schools are providing healthy food choices and helping children to become more physically active (Let’s Move, 2010). As today’s children are our future it is crucial that we all get involved in helping fight this epidemic at an early
Brian Swain MD, FACS stated that outside of obvious weight loss from the bariatric surgical procedures, 75-80% of his clients have discontinued use of all of their diabetic medications. In addition, most of his clients suffering from hypertension have at least decreased their medication regimen. He also reported that several of the treatments and surgical procedures from his general surgery practice are linked to obesity in that it predisposes people to coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension and many cancers. I recently spoke with S.P., a recipient of gastric bypass just over a year ago, and not only has she lost over 100 pounds she has also lowered her cholesterol, discontinued use of two hypertensive meds and no longer has a need for her Metformin that she was prescribed three years ago for “pre-diabetes”. She stated that although it was a huge lifestyle change it has provided her with an opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life. There is no room for doubt that obesity is a nationwide health concern, nor is there any doubt regarding the importance of fighting this problem. The efforts of congress to battle this disease through health care reform is not only appropriate but