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The link I posted on the last page shows that “More than 25% of the increase in medical costs between 1987 and 2001 is attributable to obesity and obesity-related conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, according to a new report from the non-partisan Urban Institute.” Today, 30-32% of American between 20-74 are obese. Based on the graph they provided, in 1987, about 15% of American were obese. Even more staggering: “And today, close to 20% of children are obese, up from 4% four decades ago.” “Come 2015, it is estimated that 40% of American adults will be obese, which is more than double the rate 40 years ago.”
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That’s a problem. A huge problem. Obesity accounting for 25% of the increase in medical costs. What about the other 75%? Medical insurance costs during a similar period (from 1990 to 2001) went up almost 83%. And from 1990 to 2007 up a whopping 164%. We’re paying more than two and a half times what we paid in 1990. Doctors and hospitals and other medical care providers certainly don’t earn 2 1/2 times what they did in 1990. Part of that increase is obesity. And part of the reason for the obesity is lack of preventive care. More preventive care would reduce the costs of treating the acute symptoms of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease.
Who’s making 2 1/2 times what they made in 1990? The insurance companies.
