Ethical Issues In Health Care Research Paper

Morally and ethically, I do not believe obese people should have to pay a higher health insurance premium than the population. In my Medical Ethics class, I learned the Equal Employment in Opportunity Commission (EEOC) maintains the assertion that obesity is a disability under ADA. However, if we start charging people by a subjective weight chart, we will be discriminating against an already protected group.
Obesity can be linked to genetics and the environment and not always due to personal behavior; therefore, obese people should not be charged a higher insurance premium. I do surmise insurance companies should offer discounts or incentives, for individuals living a healthy lifestyle instead of attempting to place regulations on obesity.
Subsequently, the need for preventative care and wellness screenings can lead the U.S. to a healthier population. Encouraging obese individuals to seek healthy behavioral habits will reduce people suffering from medical conditions, promote autonomy, and finally prevent social exclusion. Increasing insurance premiums will not make obese individual perceive weight loss as a goal because of the increase premiums.
The U.S. is a country of diversity, and no group of people should be alienated by weight, age, socio-economic or politically and made to pay a higher insurance premium than others. No one wants to be obese and should not be charged more and made feel less than demoralized, so we should provide standard coverage for all health care delivery issues