#Medicare Ratings

[arthritiscenterstl]

Medicare Advantage plans are often advertised as being a "better" option than traditional Medicare. However, there are a number of ways in which these plans can be misleading. One way is that they often tout their low premiums, but they don't always mention that these premiums may increase over time. Additionally, these plans may have higher copays and deductibles than traditional Medicare. Another way that Medicare Advantage plans can be misleading is that they may not cover all of the same benefits as traditional Medicare. For example, some plans may not cover prescription drugs or vision care. Finally, Medicare Advantage plans may also be misleading about their network of doctors. Some plans have very limited networks of doctors, which can make it difficult for patients to find a doctor who is in their plan. It's important to do your research before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. Make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions of the plan, and that it will meet your needs. If you're not sure whether a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you, you can always talk to a licensed insurance agent.

Your physician's fees are just one part of the overall cost of healthcare. However, your physician can play a role in helping you to control your healthcare costs. By following your physician's advice and taking care of your health, you can reduce your risk of developing costly health problems. You can also talk to your physician about ways to reduce your healthcare costs. For example, your physician may be able to help you to get a prescription for a generic drug instead of a brand-name drug. Your physician may also be able to help you to find a hospital or clinic that offers lower prices for services. It is important to remember that your physician is there to help you. Physicians have no say when it comes to the cost of a medication. They prescribe medications that have clinically proven to help patients that are experiencing similar symptoms or have the same disease. At the end of the day, your health insurance decides what they will and will not cover, how much they will pay leaving the remaining coinsurance for the patient to pay. They also create barriers to avoid having to pay for high cost treatments. Here are some of the ways health insurance is creating barriers for physicians to treat their patients:

Low reimbursement rates: Health insurance companies reimburse physicians at rates that are often below the cost of providing care. This can make it difficult for physicians to make a living, and can force them to reduce the number of patients they see or the services they provide.

Burdensome paperwork: Health insurance companies require physicians to fill out a lot of paperwork, which can be time-consuming and take away from the time they spend with patients.

Administrative complexity: Health insurance companies have complex rules and regulations that can be difficult for physicians to understand. This can lead to errors and delays in the processing of claims.

Preauthorization requirements: Some health insurance plans require physicians to obtain preauthorization before providing certain services. This can delay care and make it difficult for patients to get the care they need when they need it.

Network restrictions: Some health insurance plans only allow patients to see physicians who are in their network. This can limit patients' choices of physicians and make it difficult for them to get the care they need.

These barriers can make it difficult for physicians to provide quality care to their patients. They can also make it difficult for patients to access the care they need.

There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of prescription drugs, including:

The high cost of research and development

The high cost of manufacturing

The high cost of marketing

The high cost of insurance

The high cost of government regulation

Your doctor is not responsible for any of these factors. They are simply trying to provide you with the best possible care. Meanwhile, insurance companies' profits are increasing and patients are paying more for their insurance coverage but often realize they are paying more money for less coverage. They are able to do this:

Raising premiums. Insurance companies have been raising premiums for years, and this trend is likely to continue. This means that patients are paying more for their health insurance, even though the quality of their coverage is not always improving.

Reducing benefits. Insurance companies are also reducing the benefits that they cover. This means that patients are paying more for their health insurance, but they are getting less coverage in return.

Increased deductibles and copays. Insurance companies are also increasing the deductibles and copays that patients have to pay. This means that patients are paying more out of pocket for their health care, even though they are paying more for their health insurance.

Denying claims. Insurance companies are also denying more claims than ever before. This means that patients are paying for their health insurance, but they are not getting the care that they need when they need it.

Using loopholes to avoid paying out on claims. Insurance companies are also using loopholes in their contracts to avoid paying out on claims. This means that patients are paying for their health insurance, but they are not getting the benefits that they are paying for.

It is important to be aware of these practices so that you can make informed decisions about your health insurance. The Medicare Advantage program is a federal program, but it is administered by private insurance companies. These companies are not subject to the same regulations as traditional health insurance companies, and they are not required to disclose the same information about their plans. Medicare Advantage companies often advertise their plans with catchy slogans and promises of low premiums and comprehensive coverage. However, they often do not explain the difference between their plans and traditional Medicare. This can be confusing for consumers, who may not understand the implications of the different plans.

[phonakins-blog]

Odds are, Bill, the sun WILL come out tomorrow, but the vulnerable will be worse off, and I don't see Labor changing that any time soon

So Bill thinks we’re all getting a little hysterical when we say that people will die because of the NDIS legislation they’ve pushed through with Pauline’s help. He tells us not to be anxious and that the sun’ll come out tomorrow. I know it will Bill, it’ll be above average temperatures all week on the East Coast and all. But people will be worse off, and have their care needs neglected because…

[spiralfucker]

If I started a gofundme or something for top surgery would you guys kill me

[storyvoice]

2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings | CMS

Report here from CMS. “Ensuring that Medicare works for seniors and people with disabilities, and that people with Medicare have access to robust, stable, high-quality, and affordable options for the coverage they need, are top priorities for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).”

[ohiomedicareplansposts]

🌟2025 Medicare CMS Star Rating Highlights🌟

https://www.ohiomedicareplan.com

[ralfmaximus]

UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance company in the US, is allegedly using a deeply flawed AI algorithm to override doctors' judgments and wrongfully deny critical health coverage to elderly patients. This has resulted in patients being kicked out of rehabilitation programs and care facilities far too early, forcing them to drain their life savings to obtain needed care that should be covered under their government-funded Medicare Advantage Plan.

It's not just flawed, it's flawed in UnitedHealthcare's favor.

That's not a flaw... that's fraud.

[healthinsurancethings]

Streamline Medical Claims Processing

Explore CMSPricer's groundbreaking approach to medical claim repricing using the reference-based pricing model! Discover how this software can streamline processes and save costs efficiently.

[mrniceguymedicar]

Best-Rated Medicare Agent

Looking for the best rated Medicare agent? Look no further than Randy W. Hall, aka Mr. Nice Guy Medicare Advisor, based in Franklin, TN. He holds an extensive 13 years of experience and is always ready to be your trusted guide through the world of Medicare plans. Winner of Nextdoor's Neighborhood Fav Awards 2023, Randy represents a wide range of top-rated Medicare plans to ensure you get the coverage you deserve. Contact him today for expert assistance tailored to you.

[hislop3]

MedPAC Report to Congress: A Wrap with Monday?

Yesterday I wrote a post on President Biden’s healthcare budget. Today, I thought a quick visit back to March and MedPAC’s Annual Report to Congress on payment and program adequacy would be a good “wrapper” – for now. Every year, MedPAC (the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission) reports to the Congress in March on the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) payment systems, the Medicare (MA) program, and…

[filosofablogger]

We the Forgotten

As I flip through the news tonight, read about the lunacy that has become the politics of the right-wing ‘conservatives’ of late, a thought occurs to me:  They have forgotten about us.  They have forgotten that We the People elected them, that We the People pay their salaries, and that it is our best interest they are supposed to be looking out for.  But they are not looking out for us and don’t…

[mvprehab]

MVP Rehab Sports Physiotherapy

MVP Rehab sports physiotherapy offers comprehensive evaluations and treatment plans for your specific needs. Using the latest techniques and technology, they can help you improve your strength, function and performance.

Beginning in PY 2023, clinicians can opt to participate in a MIPS Value Pathway (MVP) instead of reporting traditional MIPS data. Each MVP has subsets of grouped measures and activities that reflect specific specialties. To know more about Sports Physiotherapy, visit the MVP Rehab Physiotherapy website or call 0450603234.

MVP Physiotherapy offers one-on-one Movement and Performance sessions (virtual or in-person) to improve your strength, movement efficiency, confidence and overall wellness. They accept private health insurance and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

A breath of fresh air for MIPS participants tired of the program’s complexity, MVPs offer a simplified reporting option with higher participation incentives. But as with all things in healthcare, MVPs are a work in progress and need your feedback! MVP candidates include a MSK MVP for rehab therapists that qualifies for automatic reweighting in the Promoting Interoperability category and scoring in the Cost Performance category. Click here to learn more and share your feedback.

Physiotherapists assess your movement and movement pattern. They will then create a tailored rehabilitation program and regularly review your goals. They may recommend movement and performance sessions (virtually or in-person) that will help reduce your risk of injury or re-injury and improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Beginning in performance year 2023, clinicians can opt to report under one of 12 MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs). These new reporting options are designed to make selecting measures and activities for reporting less burdensome by grouping them into categories related to particular specialties.

While there isn't a rehab-focused MVP for PTs, the MSK MVP candidate should provide some relief if adopted by CMS in 2024. However, therapists are encouraged to share their feedback on this MVP--and the MVP program as a whole--to ensure it meets their needs.

MVP’s Movement and Performance team helps you optimize your movement efficiency for optimal health, strength, function and performance. This includes one-on-one Movement and Performance sessions (virtually or in-person) and individualized treatment plans.

Thanks to the advocacy efforts of WebPT Members, other industry leaders, and a joint submission from Keet Health, CMS created a musculoskeletal care and rehabilitation support (MSK)-focused MIPS Value Pathway for the 2023 performance year. It’s a welcome addition to MIPS reporting, which is designed to make it easier for clinicians by grouping together associated measures and activities that are relevant to each specialty.

But there’s a catch. CMS omitted IROMS functional measures from this MVP, which could cause problems for rehab therapy patients.

MVP Movement and Performance team will help you optimize your movement efficiency for improved balance, strength, wellness and performance. They’ll work with you one-on-one (virtually or in person) to identify areas for improvement, and provide guidance in implementing tailored programs in your daily activities and/or sport.

PTs can often evaluate and treat musculoskeletal conditions without expensive diagnostic testing. Moreover, they can recognize “red flags” that indicate the need for more invasive medical attention and assist you in getting the referrals you need.

Beginning in 2023, MIPS-participating clinicians can report using a MIPS Value Pathway (MVP). While there are 12 MVPs currently available, none of them are specific to rehab therapists.

For physical therapy and occupational therapy practices that take part in the Medicare Quality Payment Program (MIPS), a new option called MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) may look like a breath of fresh air. But it's important to understand if this simplified reporting option is right for you.

MVPs are designed to make selecting measures and activities for MIPS reporting easier and give providers more meaningful performance feedback. Currently, there are 12 available MVPs, but none of them is specific to rehab therapy. That could change for 2024 when CMS introduces a MSK MVP with episode-based Cost and Promoting Interoperability measures. This MVP would be the first one relevant to PTs, OTs, and SLPs.

MVP Rehab offers a skilled balance of knowledge and experience in the rehabilitation and training of athletes of all ages and performance levels. They provide one-on-one Movement and Performance sessions, in person or via telehealth, to improve confidence, movement patterns and strength.

A prolapsed mitral valve doesn’t close as tightly as it should, and it can allow a tiny bit of blood to leak through. Most people with MVP have no symptoms, but if left untreated, the condition can progress to long-term heart problems. To know more about Sports Physiotherapy, visit the MVP Rehab Physiotherapy website or call 0450603234.

CMS rolled out MVPs in 2023 as a way to make MIPS reporting easier for clinicians. Should the Musculoskeletal Care and Rehabilitative Support MVP candidate be adopted for 2024, it could mean easier reporting for rehab therapists.

[phonakins-blog]

Half-Term for Labor... and a 50-50 2pp?

Don’t listen to the polls unless they suit you, and then don’t listen then, but surely Labor finding themselves at a 50-50 two party preferred 18 months into what they hope to the be the first term of many should be a wake-up call for Albanese and co? The fear of many in my circles in they’re seeing it as a signal they need to be more like Dutton, and the rushed legislation to continue…

[redgoldsparks]

I am not excited about Harris as a candidate, but I will be voting for her in this upcoming election. This is why→

(full transcript under the cut)

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

“Transgender ideology” to be classified as pornography & excluded from First Amendment protection. Authors who produce & distribute it threatened with prison. Educators & public librarians who share it classed as registered sex offenders. communications & technology firms that facilitate its spread shuttered. -Project 2025, page 5

Delete the terms sexual orientation, gender identity, diversity, equity, & inclusion, gender equality, abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights, out of every federal rule, contract, grant, regulation, & piece of legislation that exist. -Project 2025 page 5

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Victimization should not be a basis for an immigration benefit. -Project 2025, page 141

Increase all fees for asylum applications, limit the availability of fee waivers. -Project 2025, page 146

Mandatory appropriation for border wall system infrastructure. -Project 2025, page 147

Deny loan access to those who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents & deny loan access to students at schools that provide in-state tuition to illegal aliens. -Project 2025, page 167

Ensure that only U.S. citizens & lawful permanent residents utilize or occupy federally subsidized housing. -Project 2025, page 167

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Encourage intelligence agencies not to waste effort collecting surveillance data when they can buy it from private sector facial recognition companies. -Project 2025, page 206

Defund the Corporation for Public Broadcast, specifically NPR & PBS educational programs like Sesame Street. -Project 2025, pages 246-247

The USDA will not be able to place environmental issues ahead of agricultural production. Reconsider the Food Stamps program. -Project 2025, page 290

Labeling regulations that unnecessarily delay the manufacture & sale of baby formula should be re-evaluated. -Project 2025, page 302

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Eliminate the Community Eligibility Program which allows school districts with high rates of poverty to offer meals to all students without having to qualify each student individually. No longer provide meals to students during the summer unless students are taking summer-school classes. -Project 2025, page 303

No public education employee shall use a pronoun in addressing a student that is different from that student’s biological sex without written permission of the parents or guardians. -Project 2025 page 346

Delete reporting on which educational institutions claim religious exemption from Title IX. -Project 2025 page 357

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Gut the Office for Civil Rights’ power to prosecute any kind of discrimination in public schools. -Project 2025, page 357

Eliminate the Office of Fossil Energy & Carbon Management -Project 2025 page 377

Eliminate the stand-alone Office of Environmental Justice & External Civil Rights -Project 2025, page 421

Restructure the Office of International & Tribal Affairs into the American Indian Environmental Office -Project 2025, page 421

Eliminate the Office of Public Engagement & Environmental Education -Project 2025, page 421

Pause all action of the Environmental Protection Agency for review. -Project 2025, page 422

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Center for Disease Control stripped of the ability to suggest that schools embrace masking or vaccination strategies. -Project 2025, page 454

All states will be required to submit detailed information about pregnancies, abortions & miscarriages to a federal database. -Project 2025, page 455

The medication Mifepristone, a life-saving drug used to stop deadly postpartum hemorrhages that’s also used in chemical abortions, will be banned. -Project 2025, pages 458-459

Artificial intelligence should be used to determine what is suitable treatment for those currently covered by Medicare. -Project 2025, page 463

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which implements government price controls for prescription drugs. -Project 2025, page 465

Funding for abortion travel prohibited under the Hyde Amendment. -Project 2025, page 471

End taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. -Project 2025, page 471

Withdraw Medicaid funds for states that require abortion insurance. -Project 2025, page 472

Hospitals will no longer be willing to perform emergency abortions, even to save the life of the mother. -Project 2025, page 473

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Rescind the Department of Health & Human Services' ability to impose a moratorium on rental evictions during COVID. -Project 2025, page 492

Rescind large portions of The Endangered Species Act & The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, reinstate Trump’s plan for opening the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska to leasing and development. -Project 2025, page 524

Review & downsize national monuments. -Project 2025, page 532

End the Endangered Species Act’s ability to prevent economic development & de-list many currently endangered species. -Project 2025, pages 533-534

I AM VOTING AGAINST THIS

Make it harder for workers to unionize & easier for employers to retaliate against whistleblowers & organizers. -Project 2025, pages 601-602

TikTok classified as a national security concern & made non-operational. -Project 2025, page 674

Break up National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, including National Weather Service & National Marine Fisheries Service. -Project 2025, page 674

Downsize the Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research; disband its climate-change research work. -Project 2025 page 676

AND SO MUCH MORE. 

The full text of Project 2025 is available at static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf I am very grateful to stopproject2025comic.org which produced a series of very readable comics to help explain many sections of Project 2025. Some of the language in this post is taken directly from their transcripts. (You can read many of their comics here on tumblr @stopproject2025comic) Please vote against Project 2025. Our tattered democracy, healthcare, clean air & water, workers rights, reproductive rights, civil rights, intellectual freedom and more are at stake. 

[randyite]

[camilaella]

Medicare Star Ratings: How They Can Help You Choose a Plan

Medicare advantage plan is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for millions of Americans who are 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities. With numerous Medicare plans available, it can be challenging to select the one that best suits your needs. This is where Medicare Star Ratings come into play. Medicare Star Ratings provide an essential tool for evaluating and comparing different plans based on their performance and quality. Let's delve into how these ratings can assist you in choosing a Medicare plan that meets your healthcare requirements.

Understanding Medicare Star Ratings

Medicare Star Ratings are an assessment system developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to evaluate and rate the quality and performance of Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). These ratings are based on various factors, including customer satisfaction, member complaints, healthcare outcomes, and plan administration.

Evaluating Plan Quality

The primary purpose of Medicare Star Ratings is to assess the quality of Medicare plans. Each plan receives a rating from one to five stars, with five stars indicating the highest quality. These ratings can provide valuable insights into a plan's performance, such as how well it manages chronic conditions, coordinates care, and provides preventive services. By comparing the star ratings of different plans, you can gain a better understanding of their overall quality and make an informed decision.

Measuring Customer Satisfaction

Medicare Star Ratings take into account member satisfaction surveys to evaluate how well a plan meets the needs and expectations of its beneficiaries. These surveys measure aspects such as the ease of getting appointments, communication with doctors and specialists, and overall satisfaction with the plan's services. By considering these ratings, you can gauge the level of customer satisfaction and determine if a plan aligns with your preferences and requirements.

Assessing Healthcare Outcomes

The quality of healthcare outcomes is a crucial factor when choosing a Medicare plan. Medicare Star Ratings include metrics that assess how well plans manage chronic conditions, provide preventive services, and ensure beneficiary safety. These metrics may encompass the management of chronic diseases like diabetes or heart conditions, immunization rates, and medication adherence. Evaluating healthcare outcomes can help you identify plans that prioritize effective care and positive health outcomes.

Examining Cost and Value

While the Medicare Star Ratings predominantly focus on quality and performance, they can indirectly reflect a plan's cost-effectiveness. Higher-rated plans often provide more value for your money, with better benefits, lower out-of-pocket costs, and enhanced coordination of care. By considering the star ratings alongside cost considerations, you can make an informed decision about the trade-off between quality and affordability.

Simplifying Plan Comparison

One of the greatest advantages of Medicare Star Ratings is their ability to simplify plan comparison. With numerous options available, comparing plans can be overwhelming and time-consuming. The star ratings serve as a concise summary of a plan's overall quality and performance, allowing you to quickly identify top-performing plans and narrow down your choices. This streamlined approach saves you valuable time and effort during the decision-making process.

In conclusion, Medicare Star Ratings offer a valuable resource for selecting a Medicare plan that best meets your healthcare needs. By evaluating plan quality, measuring customer satisfaction, assessing healthcare outcomes, examining cost and value, and simplifying plan comparison, these ratings empower you to make an informed choice.

When exploring Medicare options, be sure to consider the star ratings alongside other factors such as coverage, provider networks, and prescription drug formularies. With the aid of Medicare Star Ratings, you can confidently choose a plan that provides high-quality care and optimal value for your health and well-being.

[fatliberation]

they have a point though. you wouldn't need everyone to accommodate you if you just lost weight, but you're too lazy to stick to a healthy diet and exercise. it's that simple. I'd like to see you back up your claims, but you have no proof. you have got to stop lying to yourselves and face the facts

Must I go through this again? Fine. FINE. You guys are working my nerves today. You want to talk about facing the facts? Let's face the fucking facts.

In 2022, the US market cap of the weight loss industry was $75 billion [1, 3]. In 2021, the global market cap of the weight loss industry was estimated at $224.27 billion [2]. 

In 2020, the market shrunk by about 25%, but rebounded and then some since then [1, 3] By 2030, the global weight loss industry is expected to be valued at $405.4 billion [2]. If diets really worked, this industry would fall overnight. 

1. LaRosa, J. March 10, 2022. "U.S. Weight Loss Market Shrinks by 25% in 2020 with Pandemic, but Rebounds in 2021." Market Research Blog. 2. Staff. February 09, 2023. "[Latest] Global Weight Loss and Weight Management Market Size/Share Worth." Facts and Factors Research. 3. LaRosa, J. March 27, 2023. "U.S. Weight Loss Market Partially Recovers from the Pandemic." Market Research Blog.

Over 50 years of research conclusively demonstrates that virtually everyone who intentionally loses weight by manipulating their eating and exercise habits will regain the weight they lost within 3-5 years. And 75% will actually regain more weight than they lost [4].

4. Mann, T., Tomiyama, A.J., Westling, E., Lew, A.M., Samuels, B., Chatman, J. (2007). "Medicare’s Search For Effective Obesity Treatments: Diets Are Not The Answer." The American Psychologist, 62, 220-233. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2007.

The annual odds of a fat person attaining a so-called “normal” weight and maintaining that for 5 years is approximately 1 in 1000 [5].

5. Fildes, A., Charlton, J., Rudisill, C., Littlejohns, P., Prevost, A.T., & Gulliford, M.C. (2015). “Probability of an Obese Person Attaining Normal Body Weight: Cohort Study Using Electronic Health Records.” American Journal of Public Health, July 16, 2015: e1–e6.

Doctors became so desperate that they resorted to amputating parts of the digestive tract (bariatric surgery) in the hopes that it might finally result in long-term weight-loss. Except that doesn’t work either. [6] And it turns out it causes death [7],  addiction [8], malnutrition [9], and suicide [7].

6. Magro, Daniéla Oliviera, et al. “Long-Term Weight Regain after Gastric Bypass: A 5-Year Prospective Study - Obesity Surgery.” SpringerLink, 8 Apr. 2008. 7. Omalu, Bennet I, et al. “Death Rates and Causes of Death After Bariatric Surgery for Pennsylvania Residents, 1995 to 2004.” Jama Network, 1 Oct. 2007.  8. King, Wendy C., et al. “Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders Before and After Bariatric Surgery.” Jama Network, 20 June 2012.  9. Gletsu-Miller, Nana, and Breanne N. Wright. “Mineral Malnutrition Following Bariatric Surgery.” Advances In Nutrition: An International Review Journal, Sept. 2013.

Evidence suggests that repeatedly losing and gaining weight is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and altered immune function [10].

10. Tomiyama, A Janet, et al. “Long‐term Effects of Dieting: Is Weight Loss Related to Health?” Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6 July 2017.

Prescribed weight loss is the leading predictor of eating disorders [11].

11. Patton, GC, et al. “Onset of Adolescent Eating Disorders: Population Based Cohort Study over 3 Years.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 20 Mar. 1999.

The idea that “obesity” is unhealthy and can cause or exacerbate illnesses is a biased misrepresentation of the scientific literature that is informed more by bigotry than credible science [12]. 

12. Medvedyuk, Stella, et al. “Ideology, Obesity and the Social Determinants of Health: A Critical Analysis of the Obesity and Health Relationship” Taylor & Francis Online, 7 June 2017.

“Obesity” has no proven causative role in the onset of any chronic condition [13, 14] and its appearance may be a protective response to the onset of numerous chronic conditions generated from currently unknown causes [15, 16, 17, 18].

13. Kahn, BB, and JS Flier. “Obesity and Insulin Resistance.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Aug. 2000. 14. Cofield, Stacey S, et al. “Use of Causal Language in Observational Studies of Obesity and Nutrition.” Obesity Facts, 3 Dec. 2010.  15. Lavie, Carl J, et al. “Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: Risk Factor, Paradox, and Impact of Weight Loss.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 26 May 2009.  16. Uretsky, Seth, et al. “Obesity Paradox in Patients with Hypertension and Coronary Artery Disease.” The American Journal of Medicine, Oct. 2007.  17. Mullen, John T, et al. “The Obesity Paradox: Body Mass Index and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Nonbariatric General Surgery.” Annals of Surgery, July 2005. 18. Tseng, Chin-Hsiao. “Obesity Paradox: Differential Effects on Cancer and Noncancer Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.” Atherosclerosis, Jan. 2013.

Fatness was associated with only 1/3 the associated deaths that previous research estimated and being “overweight” conferred no increased risk at all, and may even be a protective factor against all-causes mortality relative to lower weight categories [19].

19. Flegal, Katherine M. “The Obesity Wars and the Education of a Researcher: A Personal Account.” Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 15 June 2021.

Studies have observed that about 30% of so-called “normal weight” people are “unhealthy” whereas about 50% of so-called “overweight” people are “healthy”. Thus, using the BMI as an indicator of health results in the misclassification of some 75 million people in the United States alone [20]. 

20. Rey-López, JP, et al. “The Prevalence of Metabolically Healthy Obesity: A Systematic Review and Critical Evaluation of the Definitions Used.” Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 15 Oct. 2014.

While epidemiologists use BMI to calculate national obesity rates (nearly 35% for adults and 18% for kids), the distinctions can be arbitrary. In 1998, the National Institutes of Health lowered the overweight threshold from 27.8 to 25—branding roughly 29 million Americans as fat overnight—to match international guidelines. But critics noted that those guidelines were drafted in part by the International Obesity Task Force, whose two principal funders were companies making weight loss drugs [21].

21. Butler, Kiera. “Why BMI Is a Big Fat Scam.” Mother Jones, 25 Aug. 2014. 

Body size is largely determined by genetics [22].

22. Wardle, J. Carnell, C. Haworth, R. Plomin. “Evidence for a strong genetic influence on childhood adiposity despite the force of the obesogenic environment” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 87, No. 2, Pages 398-404, February 2008.

Healthy lifestyle habits are associated with a significant decrease in mortality regardless of baseline body mass index [23].  

23. Matheson, Eric M, et al. “Healthy Lifestyle Habits and Mortality in Overweight and Obese Individuals.” Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 25 Feb. 2012.

Weight stigma itself is deadly. Research shows that weight-based discrimination increases risk of death by 60% [24].

24. Sutin, Angela R., et al. “Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality .” Association for Psychological Science, 25 Sept. 2015.

Fat stigma in the medical establishment [25] and society at large arguably [26] kills more fat people than fat does [27, 28, 29].

25. Puhl, Rebecca, and Kelly D. Bronwell. “Bias, Discrimination, and Obesity.” Obesity Research, 6 Sept. 2012. 26. Engber, Daniel. “Glutton Intolerance: What If a War on Obesity Only Makes the Problem Worse?” Slate, 5 Oct. 2009.  27. Teachman, B. A., Gapinski, K. D., Brownell, K. D., Rawlins, M., & Jeyaram, S. (2003). Demonstrations of implicit anti-fat bias: The impact of providing causal information and evoking empathy. Health Psychology, 22(1), 68–78. 28. Chastain, Ragen. “So My Doctor Tried to Kill Me.” Dances With Fat, 15 Dec. 2009. 29. Sutin, Angelina R, Yannick Stephan, and Antonio Terraciano. “Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality.” Psychological Science, 26 Nov. 2015.

There's my "proof." Where is yours?