Obesity Report Calls for Taxpayers to Fund Lapband Surgery
“There are calls for taxpayers to fork out so obese Australians can have their stomachs stapled for free.
A parliamentary inquiry has heard many overweight Australians could not afford to pay $15,000 for lapband surgery, which effectively shrinks the size of the stomach using a silicone belt and is rarely performed in public hospitals.
The Weighing It Up report last night urged the Federal Government to classify obesity as a chronic disease, giving sufferers greater access to taxpayer-funded treatments.
…
The obesity crisis has become dire in Australia, with 68 per cent of men and 55 per cent of women found to be overweight obese last year.
Related health issues like heart disease and diabetes put a heavy burden on Australia’s economy, costing $58 billion last year.
If the government recognises obesity as a chronic disease it will open the way for doctors to better control the condition, with more treatments allowed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
“This will enable GPs to establish an obesity management plan similar to those available for asthma, diabetes, mental health and aged care,” the report said.
Cheaper gym memberships and a national “fat” register were also recommended in the Parliamentary Committee’s report.”
I have to say, I am pretty darn impressed with the Australian government right now for even considering doing any sort of free/reduced cost actions to help reduce the amount of obese Australians. One more reason that I love living in a country where keeping the population sick isn’t the most profitable way to go.
I don’t mean to sound snarky, but I am nearly in shock over this.
I recall saying to Mr. JM months ago that, if the Australian government really wants to cut obesity rates among Australians, then they should do things like cut the cost of surgeries (if surgery is deemed necessary), give out vouchers for meal replacements and gym memberships…
Lo and behold, it looks like those things could really happen.
I’m not looking to surgery for myself, but I certainly wouldn’t mind a cheap membership (I know what I’ve said about my lifestyle and the gym, but if it’s free/cheap…). I think this is actually a government move that might do the people some good…
Go figure.
Leave a Reply