From THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:

Medicare is discarding its declaration that obesity is not a disease, a policy change that potentially throws open the door for millions of overweight Americans to make medical claims for treatments such as stomach surgery and diet programs.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said, “Obesity is a critical public health problem in our country that causes millions of Americans to suffer unnecessary health problems and to die prematurely.”

Treating obesity-related illnesses results in billions of dollars in health care costs, Thompson said.

“With this new policy, Medicare will be able to review scientific evidence in order to determine which interventions improve health outcomes for seniors and disabled Americans who are obese,” Thompson told a Senate panel.

**Now, I am not being insensitive. I KNOW that some people do have legitimate, genetic issues with their weight. However, the majority of us are just fat because we eat too damn much. For example, Taco Bell just introduced their half pound burrito. Disgusting! Put down that burrito and go to the gym! Then, aside from being much healthier, none of us will have to worry about what this will do to the skyrocketing cost of health insurance.**

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/breaking_news/story/212829p-183299c.html