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Why Congress Won't Face the Fat Problem

Lawmakers fear giving US 'bad news'—especially while munching Doritos

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 30, 2009 11:10 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Congress is “in denial” on one key health issue: obesity, writes Lisa Lerer for Politico. Obesity-related illnesses reportedly cost $147 billion, or 10% of medical spending, last year—and lawmakers say they’re focused on cost-cutting. But, experts say, “no one wants to tell Americans the bad news.” Notes one professor: “We haven’t come to grips with whether it is their own fault or a combination of factors.”

The Congressional Budget Office doesn’t see attacking obesity as a way to save, hurting “political will” on the matter. There’s also hypocrisy among legislators: Senate Finance Committee members discuss health reform over “Doritos, potato chips and beef jerky.” Some wonder how much input the government should have on what’s to varying degrees a personal-responsibility issue. Another hurdle: the difficulty of going up against the powerful food lobby.

Health secretary Kathleen Sebelius shakes hands with the Senate Finance Committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Charles Grassley, left, as committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., looks on.
Health secretary Kathleen Sebelius shakes hands with the Senate Finance Committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Charles Grassley, left, as committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., looks on.   (AP Photo)
Congress is steering clear of the husky animal in the room: fat people, writes Lisa Lerer.
Congress is steering clear of the "husky animal in the room: fat people," writes Lisa Lerer.   (AP Photo)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gestures during her weekly news conference July 23, 2009, on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gestures during her weekly news conference July 23, 2009, on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
IndependentThinker
Jul 31, 2009 8:10 AM CDT
You mean like the liberals telling people they cant get abortions?
IndependentThinker
Jul 31, 2009 6:29 AM CDT
It is not just HFCS, they turn corn into EVERYTHING. You would be amazed at what % of an avg American diet consists of processed corn.
BlueAyez
Jul 31, 2009 5:09 AM CDT
When healthy food becomes cheaper than junk food then more people will slim down. One thing they omit in the story is that older people who tend to be heavier are also the ones coming down with heart disease, cancer etc. They may have been slim or average their whole life and had an unhealthy diet.

 
obesity • health care • Congress • health care costs • obesity epidemic • Senate Finance Committee • health care reform • Doritos • beef jerky • potato chips • personal responsibility

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