Government will require all Americans by 2014 to have a Obesity Rating

[teedubya]

I'm Doooooooomed. LOL.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/69436

Obesity Rating for Every American Included in Stimulus-Mandated Electronic Health Records

New federal regulations issued this week stipulate that the electronic health records--that all Americans are supposed to have by 2014 under the terms of the stimulus law that President Barack Obama signed last year--must record not only the traditional measures of height and weight, but also the Body Mass Index: a measure of obesity.

The obesity-rating regulation states that every American's electronic health record must: “Calculate body mass index. Automatically calculate and display body mass index (BMI) based on a patient’s height and weight.”

The law also requires that these electronic health records be available--with appropriate security measures--on a national exchange.

The new regulations are one of the first steps towards the government’s goal of universal adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) by 2014, as outlined in the 2009 economic stimulus law. Specifically, the regulations issued on Tuesday by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Dr. David Blumenthal, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, define the "meaningful use" of electronic records. Under the stimulus law, health care providers--including doctors and hospitals--must establish "meaningful use" of EHRs by 2014 in order to qualify for federal subsidies. After that, they will be subjected to penalties in the form of diminished Medicare and Medicaid payments for not establishing "meaningful use" of EHRs.

Section 3001 of the stimulus law says: "The National Coordinator shall, in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies (including the National Institute of Standards and Technology), update the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan (developed as of June 3, 2008) to include specific objectives, milestones, and metrics with respect to the following: (i) The electronic exchange and use of health information and the enterprise integration of such information.‘‘(ii) The utilization of an electronic health record for each person in the United States by 2014."

Under this mandate in the stimulus law, Secretary Sebelius issued a regulation--developed by Dr. Blumenthal--that requires that all EHRs keep track of a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) score. Body Mass Index is a ratio between a person’s weight and height, and is used to determine whether or not someone is overweight or obese. It is the preferred method of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for measuring obesity.

Michelle Obama has made dealing with the problem of childhood obesity the main theme of her term as First Lady.

U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. (Photo by Penny Starr/CNSNews.com)
According to the CDC, “BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.”

A person’s BMI score is used as a tool to screen for obesity or excessive body fat that could lead to other health problems. While it does not actually measure body fat directly, according to CDC, the BMI scores generally correlate with a person’s body fat percentage.

The new regulations also stipulate that the new electronic records be capable of sending public health data to state and federal health agencies such as HHS and CDC. The CDC, which calls American society “obesogenic” – meaning that American society itself promotes obesity – collects BMI scores from state health agencies every year to monitor obesity nationwide.

“Electronically record, retrieve, and transmit syndrome based public health surveillance information to public health agencies,” the regulations read.

With the spread of electronic health records, the CDC apparently will be able to collect such data more efficiently and with greater accuracy because the electronic record keeping systems can send the data automatically, eliminating the need for government – both state and federal – to keep, send, and process physical records.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Brock

If it's inaccurate for some people, then maybe we need to find an accurate measurement for everybody. And you know they exist, so quit rationalizing this crap.

I don't disagree with that.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by RJ

I wonder if they'll then tie in to the records from your grocery store's shopper card so they'll know whether you're just fat cause you're fat, or fat cause you're living on a steady diet of Doritos, Twinkies and bacon?

mmmm...bacon.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Nope, not interested in coming up with our own solutions, but hopefully [sic], big brother can fix everything for us...

So what is your solution?

[teedubya]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Well here's what they can do with this data. They can target advertising for those programs more accurately.

If the average fat American was visited by a representative from a government-sponsored weight loss program, and encouraged to register and participate, I bet there would be fewer fat Americans.

But maybe I have my head way up my ass and America is hopelessly fat.

Here's a thought: currently the weight loss and exercise industry is thriving. Some people don't want to spend the money they feel they have to in order to lose weight. What if the government made it a lot cheaper for them?

There will be fewer fat Americans when things have less toxins in the food... and less High Fructose Corn Syrup... and less aspartame... and less shit.

But, the theory behind this is good... but I think the execution of this will be greatly flawed.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

So what is your solution?

My solution is to stay out of people's personal business.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

So what is your solution?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

We're responsible for our own decisions in this world and the ramifications of said decisions.

Tell the government to stop subsidizing fat people and if they die of heart disease, well they probably enjoyed their 50 years of eating whatever the **** they wanted.

In either event - it was their choice and it didn't involve my money or my Congressman's time.

I know the concept of reaping what you sow died in the 1950s, but it really does have some merit.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by teedubya

There will be fewer fat Americans when things have less toxins in the food... and less High Fructose Corn Syrup... and less aspartame... and less shit.

[irishjayhawk]

Originally Posted by sedated

Well this is pretty stupid.

Lets use the data that has no bearing on health, as a determining factor for your health.

Originally Posted by Silock

Useless? No. Inaccurate for some people? Yes.

Pretty much both of these.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by teedubya

There will be fewer fat Americans when things have less toxins in the food... and less High Fructose Corn Syrup... and less aspartame... and less shit.

That would require overbearing regulation of the food industry.

Ultimately it's up to the individual. All the government can do is encourage people and make it easier for them.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by Laz

george w bush was the worst president EVER


yes, even worse than jimmy carter

Hahaha, not even close.

[RJ]

Originally Posted by Heather

mmmm...bacon.

My favorite foods are cholesterol and saturated fat.

Sprinkle on a little sodium nitrate and tabasco and I'm all set!

[penguinz]

Too bad BMI means nothing.

[mlyonsd]

Attention: All fat people to the back of the bus.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

That would require overbearing regulation of the food industry.

Ultimately it's up to the individual. All the government can do is encourage people and make it easier for them.

All the government can do is and let people take responsibility for their own lives.

The Federal Government is not your damn kindergarden teacher, it isn't your mother. It isn't designed to hold your hand and steer you along the proper path in life.

I just don't understand what is difficult about this concept.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

All the government can do is and let people take responsibility for their own lives.

Some people can't survive without the government's help.