Weight Loss Information return to main menu | go to weight loss homepage | weight loss index & site map

Losing Weight: Healthier Wallet


Lose Weight - Get A Break
----------------------------------------
The American Obesity Association (AOA) wants to give new meaning to getting a deduction. Losing weight should get you a deduction. The non-profit advocacy organization is trying to change IRS policy to allow taxpayers to deduct the cost of weight loss treatments.

The AOA and 10 other organizations (including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, several pharmaceutical companies, professional societies, and consumer advocate groups) petitioned the IRS last year to reverse the revenue ruling that includes weight loss among such other non-deductible categories as cosmetic surgery and health clubs, and until recently, smoking cessation programs.

Weight Loss Programs Should Get The Same Break as Smoking Cessation Programs
----------------------------------------
The AOA would like to see weight loss treatments included in the same category of allowable medical expenses like treatments for heart disease or stroke. According to Downey, the IRS responded to the petition last October by saying consideration would be given to reverse the revenue ruling if facts were provided establishing either that obesity itself is a disease, or weight loss by an obese person could prevent the onset of disease.

The AOA responded with an "exhaustive submission covering both of those bases," Downey says. "It almost gets to the point, why did we ask this question in the first place, it's so obvious, but of course, it isn't, there's still a lot of misunderstanding about obesity."

The AOA wants the reversal to allow deductions for the costs of comprehensive obesity treatment, including surgery, pharmacology, behavioral counseling, and programs for the specific purpose of weight maintenance and loss. Downey says he's "optimistic" the IRS will rule in their favor based on the strength of the evidence in their 58-page submission to the agency.

Obesity Is Considered A Chronic Disease
-----------------------------------------
Chris Rosenbloom, PhD, RD says obesity is considered a "chronic disease, it has actually been classified a disease. It's probably the biggest chronic health problem that we have in the United States." Rosenbloom is an associate professor of nutrition at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Rosenbloom says obesity can lead to high blood pressure, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and possibly even certain types of cancers. According to the AOA, about 55% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. The health care costs for treating diseases caused by obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease, was over $100 billion in 1999 alone.

Medicare And Medicaid Next?
-----------------------------------------
Downey says the AOA is "working with some of the managed care associations and Medicare. We're going to be looking at Medicaid hopefully in the near future. We obviously want to see them provide better coverage." But Downey says the IRS and the insurance industry are two very different issues. The IRS is more cut-and-dry, and the questions associated with it are not as complex.

The IRS has to interpret obesity as a medical problem. Until it does, it is doubtful that tax relief will come. Even though medical deductions qualify after seven and a half percent of your adjusted gross income. If you were making $100,000 a year, you would have to have over $7,500 before you could deduct it. Most people don't.

Downey agrees "it's a very small category, but in our view, particularly for people who need bariatric [obese-specific] surgery, which is going to be $8,000 to $12,000, or so and frequently is not covered by insurance plans, that probably is the individual who is going to benefit from this change. Most middle class people would have to go to a lot of Weight Watchers meetings to get up to that level."

There has been a 40% increase in the number of obese people since 1980 and the incidence of obesity in children is rising. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.

You may reprint or publish this article free of charge as long as the bylines are included.

Original URL (The Web version of the article)
------------
Losing Weight: Healthier Wallet

About The Author
Michael Lewis has been collecting articles and information on Weight Loss and HGH (Human Growth Hormone and related health benefits. He has created and edits numerous web sites about this subject. Michael is a staff writer for http://www.ageforce.com and several otherwebsites. If you would like to contact Michael you can e-mail him at Michael@AgeForce.com If you would like to know more about Weight Loss, HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and related health topics please visit us at AgeForce.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Resident to offer Ritzville Area Weight Loss Challenge, signup at health fair
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Tina Steinmetz is a personal wellness coach who runs the Weight Loss Challenge. The program provides an opportunity to advertise and help fight the battle ...
Health and Wellness Street Fair set for Saturday, downtown RitzvilleRitzville Adams County Journal

all 2 news articles »


Seer Press

Best Weight Loss Diet - How To Lose Weight Fast
OfficialWire (press release)
Is The Diet Solution Program By Isabel De Los Rios The Best Weight Loss Diet? | Can It Really Help Anyone Loss 10% Of Fat In The First 30 Days Guaranteed? ...
The Diet Solution - Try the Best Diet Plan For Weight Loss FastSan Lorenzo Valley Press-Banner
The Diet Solution Program-Your Complete Weight Loss Program That You Can TrustSeer Press
Your Space: Getting the 'perfect body' or giving into media fads?NorthJersey.com
Helium -Excalibur Online -GlobalPost
all 20 news articles »


Technorati (blog)

Controlling Lifestyle and Hormones is Key to Successful Weight Loss
Technorati (blog)
Specifically, increased levels of leptin and lower concentrations of ghrelin before dieting correlated with weight loss which could not be maintained by ...
Appetite hormones predict dieter's successTimes of India
Some Dieters Are Set Up to Regain WeightWebMD
Hormones may lead to weight gain and lossKYTX

all 31 news articles »


PR Web (press release)

Scottsdale Weight Loss
lonad News
In Scottsdale, weight loss is carried out by following a diet known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. This is considered to be the ultimate fat burning diet ...
hCGDietDallas.us | Top 3 Arguments That hCG Diet Does Not Lead to Weight LossPR Web (press release)
HCG Diet Direct's YouTube Channel Discusses Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) Tips ...PR Web (press release)

all 3 news articles »


Stuff.co.nz

Study Links Weight Loss To Increased Chemicals In Blood
RTT News
(RTTNews) - A new study published in the current edition of the Journal of Obesity suggests that weight loss could result in an unexpected and potentially ...
The Downside of Weight LossWebMD
Toxicity of weight loss, research showsSeer Press
Weight loss linked to dementia, cancerHindustan Times
msnbc.com -Medical News Today -AOL Health (blog)
all 91 news articles »


Cardium Announces Appexium™, a New Weight Loss Management Dietary Supplement ...
TradersHuddle.com (press release)
Appexium may be used as a stand-alone product, integrated as part of exercise, yoga and other fitness programs, or used in concert with popular weight-loss ...

and more »


Minyanville.com

New Diet Pill & Old Weight-Loss Drug's Potential Risk to Undergo US Scrutiny
TopNews United States
In the coming week, US medical experts are going to consider whether a potential new diet pill and 13 years old weight-loss drug risk the health of people ...
Weight Loss Pills Benefits and Risks AssessedDiet.co.uk
Why You Should Pay Attention to Arena's LorquessMinyanville.com
Risks of old, new diet drugs face US scrutinyReuters
TheStreet.com -Beacon Equity Research (blog)
all 22 news articles »


COSHOCTON AREA WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE
Coshocton Tribune
Weight loss will be based on percentage loss, not total pounds. For information or to pre-register, call Ryan Baker at (740) 704-3450.
Swampscott Weight Loss Challenge to start new classSwampscott Reporter

all 2 news articles »


NDTV.com

Shah Rukh Khan blames role for weight loss
Digital Spy
Shah Rukh Khan has said that his recent film role is to blame for his weight loss. The star revealed that the costume in ...
Shah Rukh Khan blames role for weight lossOne News Page
Shah Rukh goes size zero?Hindustan Times

all 33 news articles »


Medical Weight Loss Clinic Offers Pro-Teen Plan at No Cost to Help Fight ...
PR.com (press release)
“We all know the dangers of childhood obesity,” said Alberta Lipiniski, nursing supervisor of Medical Weight Loss Clinic. “Nearly every day, the media is ...

and more »

Google News

return to main menu | go to weight loss homepage | weight loss index & site map
© 2006