The American Medical Association is taking responsibility out of a person’s hands, placing it in the hands of the US government after declaring obesity as a disease. The US has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, over one-third of Americans are considered obese (Tanner, 2013). Obesity cost on average more than $190 billion dollars per year in medical bills and expenses (Tanner, 2013). The American Medical Associations decision to cover the cost of obesity will end up costing American’s more money out of pocket than if obese individuals were held responsible (Tanner, 2013). Government involvement in weight loss could result in doctors relying more on pharmacological and surgical ways to help a patient lose weight instead of implementing
