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 losing weight: healthier wallet and several otherwebsites. If you would like to contact Michael you can e-mail him at losing weight: healthier wallet If you would like to know more about Weight Loss, HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and related health topics please visit us at losing weight: healthier wallet.
Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have... Read More
Want an after dinner snack? Jealously watching your family consume... Read More
Weighing more than is normal, necessary, or allowed, especially having... Read More
A common question among weight loss professionals...If fad diets don't... Read More
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases today. One... Read More
You've heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut... Read More
Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge... Read More
Obesity and fast foods - there's little doubt about the... Read More
? Can you give me an exercise that will get... Read More
Food is not simply fuel to keep you going. Nor... Read More
When you begin the decision making process to have Weight... Read More
Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More
The scourge of obesity has reached such gigantic proportions across... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Yesterday, out of the blue, without any foreboding gossip or... Read More
So you've decided that you're going to do it.You're sick... Read More
There are currently over 100 billion dollars sold in weight-loss... Read More
Several months ago I was in desperate need of weight... Read More
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More
There are those that walk amongst us who have followed... Read More
Weight loss, diets and "carbs" are common household topics. There... Read More
It's definitely no fun to lose weight -- put it... Read More
WHAT DOES BEING FIT REALLY MEAN?The "INSIDE-OUT" approach to fitness... Read More
Weight loss is an issue that affects men and women... Read More
Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Learning the jargon is part of the weight loss journey.... Read More
Ready for a hardcore diet to get lean in a... Read More
Many people have asked me what foods they should eat... Read More
Generally, weight loss surgery such as the gastric bypass will... Read More
Let me ask you a personal question. As you read... Read More
Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
Are you one of the many who may be tempted... Read More
Taming the See Food Eat Food ResponseWhat happens when you're... Read More
I want to make this perfectly clear, fruits are healthy... Read More
Here are 4 diet tips we all need reminded of... Read More
Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight... Read More
In March 2003 our then 13 year old daughter, Helen,... Read More
America's Obesity EpidemicAs the numbers of overweight Americans continue to... Read More
If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
Have you ever wondered with all the weight loss programs... Read More
The vast majority of postpartum women will not return to... Read More
If you've been on a low carb diet for any... Read More
You don't realize it, but in the next few minutes... Read More
You have finally decided to tackle weight management and lose... Read More
Did you know that how and when you eat is... Read More
Remember there's more to you than meets the eye. You've... Read More
Yes it's true- and so unfair. As we get older... Read More
If your low carb diet is going nowhere, maybe its... Read More
Fats are always looked at as a negative in a... Read More
"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More
Weight Loss |