Comments on: Fat People Cheaper to Treat http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/ The Neat Side of the Web Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:49:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Lana http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-452700 Lana Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:54:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-452700 Fat people are cheaper to treat not only because of life expectancy but because health insurers can deny coverage to the obese. Causing a lot of people to either pay out of pocket, go into bankruptcy or wait to late to seek medical treatment. Fat people are cheaper to treat not only because of life expectancy but because health insurers can deny coverage to the obese. Causing a lot of people to either pay out of pocket, go into bankruptcy or wait to late to seek medical treatment.

]]> By: Todd http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-435646 Todd Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:29:59 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-435646 "The study...did not take into account other potential costs of obesity and smoking, such as lost economic productivity" 1) People who die sooner are contributing less toward healthcare costs. Dead people don't: - pay insurance premiums - pay hospital and/or doctor copayments - fund the government through taxes Also, people who get sick earlier in life are more likely to miss work, hurting productivity and costing companies more. It would be nice to see a study that considers revenues and costs from each group. 2) Smokers and other unhealthy people currently pay higher premiums for insurance. Does this study mean rates will go up for the healthy? "The study...did not take into account other potential costs of obesity and smoking, such as lost economic productivity"

1) People who die sooner are contributing less toward healthcare costs. Dead people don't:

- pay insurance premiums
- pay hospital and/or doctor copayments
- fund the government through taxes

Also, people who get sick earlier in life are more likely to miss work, hurting productivity and costing companies more.
It would be nice to see a study that considers revenues and costs from each group.

2) Smokers and other unhealthy people currently pay higher premiums for insurance. Does this study mean rates will go up for the healthy?

]]> By: L http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-435633 L Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:12:24 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-435633 Actual costs of treatment aside, healthy people won't be in the hospitals as much. This article doesn't take into account bed shortages, the cost of updating beds and hospital floors to account for heavier people, doctors being tied up taking care of obesity-related illnesses, etc. And I question the accuracy of the numbers presented here. If you divide cost by the number of years, you still find obese people being cheaper. If the higher cost of healthy people is truly just because they live longer, then that should be reflected in a year-by-year cost. I find it difficult to believe that a healthy person who suddenly drops dead at 84 would be more expensive than someone who lives the last 20 years of his/her life with diabetes, heart disease, possible amputations, heart bypasses, etc. Actual costs of treatment aside, healthy people won't be in the hospitals as much. This article doesn't take into account bed shortages, the cost of updating beds and hospital floors to account for heavier people, doctors being tied up taking care of obesity-related illnesses, etc.

And I question the accuracy of the numbers presented here. If you divide cost by the number of years, you still find obese people being cheaper. If the higher cost of healthy people is truly just because they live longer, then that should be reflected in a year-by-year cost. I find it difficult to believe that a healthy person who suddenly drops dead at 84 would be more expensive than someone who lives the last 20 years of his/her life with diabetes, heart disease, possible amputations, heart bypasses, etc.

]]> By: Sid Morrison http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-435433 Sid Morrison Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:00:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-435433 Jaimee is right, although it's possible that the researchers factored that in. But, you'll also see studies that suggest the opposite result -- it all depends on who is doing the research and to what end. Scientists and statisticians strangely can find data to support whatever cause is dear to their sponsors. Regardless, this is an intrinsic risk with all socialized medicine schemes. Because the public in aggregate shoulders the cost of caring for people, the State uses this as an excuse to get into peoples' lives and control what they eat, how much they drink, what hobbies they have, &c. When folks are responsible for their own helth care costs (or purchasing insurance), they can make decisions that maximize their individual utility, whether that means eating lots of Twinkies, riding motorcycles, being a boozer, whatever. When you adopt a nanny state, liberty is the first thing that gets checked at the door. Straight talk from Sid. Jaimee is right, although it's possible that the researchers factored that in. But, you'll also see studies that suggest the opposite result -- it all depends on who is doing the research and to what end. Scientists and statisticians strangely can find data to support whatever cause is dear to their sponsors.

Regardless, this is an intrinsic risk with all socialized medicine schemes. Because the public in aggregate shoulders the cost of caring for people, the State uses this as an excuse to get into peoples' lives and control what they eat, how much they drink, what hobbies they have, &c. When folks are responsible for their own helth care costs (or purchasing insurance), they can make decisions that maximize their individual utility, whether that means eating lots of Twinkies, riding motorcycles, being a boozer, whatever. When you adopt a nanny state, liberty is the first thing that gets checked at the door.

Straight talk from Sid.

]]> By: MoonCake http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-435299 MoonCake Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:33:53 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-435299 so, according to these "scientists," what is the underlying message here? get fat; die young! so, according to these "scientists," what is the underlying message here?

get fat; die young!

]]> By: Clinton Labombard http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-435247 Clinton Labombard Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:51:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-435247 Non-eaters and non-smokers eat less and smoke less, which is bad for the economy, so feh. Non-eaters and non-smokers eat less and smoke less, which is bad for the economy, so feh.

]]> By: Galinda http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-435218 Galinda Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:16:58 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-435218 I've heard of a similar study where the researchers found that its acutally 'better' for the environment if people drive instead of ride a bike for transportation. The gist being that because someone is driving, they're not getting as much excersize, thus have a shorter life span and then not staying around as long as the bike rider to produce trash, waste, etc. My statistics teacher loved to use this one to show the 'power' of statistics - how you could really use the numbers to show anything you wanted if you worked hard enough. I've heard of a similar study where the researchers found that its acutally 'better' for the environment if people drive instead of ride a bike for transportation. The gist being that because someone is driving, they're not getting as much excersize, thus have a shorter life span and then not staying around as long as the bike rider to produce trash, waste, etc.
My statistics teacher loved to use this one to show the 'power' of statistics - how you could really use the numbers to show anything you wanted if you worked hard enough.

]]> By: meghan http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434933 meghan Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:20:01 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434933 "A few suggestions if I may, arctic crevasse adventurer, live volcano tube spelunker, deep sea cave explorer, just to name a few. Hey, if they are actually any good at it, then its still a win." Best ideas for my new hobbies ever! My boyfriend wanted me to get out of skydiving, anyway... "A few suggestions if I may, arctic crevasse adventurer, live volcano tube spelunker, deep sea cave explorer, just to name a few. Hey, if they are actually any good at it, then its still a win."

Best ideas for my new hobbies ever! My boyfriend wanted me to get out of skydiving, anyway...

]]> By: Jaimee http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434875 Jaimee Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:24:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434875 Miss Cellania, yes toward the end of life we all have health problems. What I was referring to are health problems mid life that these individuals have. Like the need for gastric bypass surgery, trechiotomies, the higher risk of cancer (which yes many people get cancer that is unrelated to things like smoking, but it is un-denyable that people who do smoke are at a much higher risk. Even chewing tobacco can lead to tongue and jaw cancer that could otherwise have been easily prevented). In other words, in my opinion, there are many other factors excluded and you just cant calculate how much someone will cost through health care, just by how long they live. Miss Cellania, yes toward the end of life we all have health problems. What I was referring to are health problems mid life that these individuals have. Like the need for gastric bypass surgery, trechiotomies, the higher risk of cancer (which yes many people get cancer that is unrelated to things like smoking, but it is un-denyable that people who do smoke are at a much higher risk. Even chewing tobacco can lead to tongue and jaw cancer that could otherwise have been easily prevented). In other words, in my opinion, there are many other factors excluded and you just cant calculate how much someone will cost through health care, just by how long they live.

]]> By: Miss Cellania http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434769 Miss Cellania Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:11:21 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434769 Jaimee, people who live longer need just as much care, since we all have health problems toward the end of life. They noted that thin non-smokers have more strokes, because they just don't die of something else first. Jaimee, people who live longer need just as much care, since we all have health problems toward the end of life. They noted that thin non-smokers have more strokes, because they just don't die of something else first.

]]> By: Prairie Dog http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434745 Prairie Dog Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:02:09 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434745 No, no hark, that would be inhumane. What you gotta do is encourage people to take up really high risk hobbies. We just gotta make sure they die quick, none of this lingering on, hooked to a machine. Preferably something that also covers their own funeral as well. A few suggestions if I may, arctic crevasse adventurer, live volcano tube spelunker, deep sea cave explorer, just to name a few. Hey, if they are actually any good at it, then its still a win. No, no hark, that would be inhumane. What you gotta do is encourage people to take up really high risk hobbies. We just gotta make sure they die quick, none of this lingering on, hooked to a machine. Preferably something that also covers their own funeral as well.

A few suggestions if I may, arctic crevasse adventurer, live volcano tube spelunker, deep sea cave explorer, just to name a few. Hey, if they are actually any good at it, then its still a win.

]]> By: Jaimee http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434734 Jaimee Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:57:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434734 Wow..yah..really misleading they way they wrote this. Yes, healthy people live longer, but they need less care. So you can't base the cost off of life span alone....other things need to be factored in. Wow..yah..really misleading they way they wrote this. Yes, healthy people live longer, but they need less care. So you can't base the cost off of life span alone....other things need to be factored in.

]]> By: hark http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434679 hark Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:14:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434679 i know how to save a TON, just kill everyone. our best quarter ever. numbers are WAAYYYYYYY up... i know how to save a TON, just kill everyone.
our best quarter ever. numbers are WAAYYYYYYY up...

]]> By: Allen Garvin http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434673 Allen Garvin Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:08:37 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434673 Wasn't there a Yes Minster episode about this? Obese smokers bravely laying down their lives to save the NHS money? Wasn't there a Yes Minster episode about this? Obese smokers bravely laying down their lives to save the NHS money?

]]> By: Angie http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434665 Angie Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:58:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434665 That's... cold. D: That's... cold. D:

]]> By: aerio http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434650 aerio Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:44:35 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434650 People have known that for a while, but not actual the numbers that have just been looked into. A study gives a solid backing to smack down media outlets and those with agenda's out to spread these ideas. People have known that for a while, but not actual the numbers that have just been looked into. A study gives a solid backing to smack down media outlets and those with agenda's out to spread these ideas.

]]> By: andy cochrane http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434648 andy cochrane Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:44:02 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434648 yeah this study is highly misleading- its not that fat people are cheaper to treat, its that they die sooner, so they require less maintenance health care. if you cost it out on a per year of life basis, healthy people are much cheaper- this is silly, and data manipulation to boot. yeah this study is highly misleading- its not that fat people are cheaper to treat, its that they die sooner, so they require less maintenance health care. if you cost it out on a per year of life basis, healthy people are much cheaper- this is silly, and data manipulation to boot.

]]> By: SiteSeer http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/comment-page-1/#comment-434640 SiteSeer Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:34:53 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/fat-people-cheaper-to-treat/#comment-434640 Does it really have to take a study to figure out that dead people are low maintenance? Does it really have to take a study to figure out that dead people are low maintenance?

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