AF Events: Free To Be Fat?
The Jackson Chapter of America’s Future hosted a luncheon in August titled Free to be Fat? This event explored the relationship between personal responsibility and the healthcare sector. It had a particular emphasis on one of Mississippi’s greatest healthcare crises: obesity. Mississippi has more than two-thirds of its population that are overweight or obese and has the worst childhood obesity rate. This not only impacts the quality of life but has significant impacts on the state’s healthcare system.
AF Jackson panelists Dr. Rick DeShazo, Southern Remedy radio host, Ron Aldridge (MS Beverage Association) and Mike Cashion (MS Restaurant Association) discussed whether or not the government should be involved in personal choices. Our panelists debated these issues, and concluded that government should not play a primary role in fighting obesity. Communities and families should fight against healthcare issues like obesity, not be forced to subsidize the costs of obesity through punitive measures like the ACA.
Some estimates show that Mississippi’s obesity levels may rise to more than 66 percent by 2030, which has huge implications for the state’s healthcare costs. Trimming the Body Mass Index levels by 5 percent, Mississippi could save 7 percent in healthcare costs, or about $6.1 billion by 2030.
How should the state react to these statistics? Should there be more government intervention through laws like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or should the state try to change its culture to focus on personal responsibility?