IRS Weighs Allowing Deduction For Obesity Treatment

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2000 — The Internal Revenue Service is considering allowing taxpayers to deduct the cost of weight loss treatments, a medical expense that along with cosmetic surgery, tattoos and health clubs is currently not deductible, according to a statement released today by the American Obesity Association (AOA).

In response to a petition last year from the AOA and 10 other organizations, the IRS responded last October that reversing the revenue ruling would require facts establishing either that obesity itself is a disease, or that weight loss by an obese person prevents the onset of disease.

"The medical and scientific evidence that obesity is a major disease and that losing weight prevents a host of other medical conditions is overwhelming," says Morgan Downey, AOA’s executive director. "We’re confident IRS will revoke the ruling."

Downey says weight loss treatments should fall into the same category of allowable medical expenses like treatments for heart disease or stroke. He wants the new ruling to allow deductions for the costs of comprehensive obesity treatment, including surgery, pharmacology, behavioral counseling, and programs for the specific purpose of weight maintenance and weight loss.

AOA’s response to IRS’ request for supporting documentation is contained in a 58-page letter released March 20. The letter is available on AOA’s web site, www.obesity.org.

Some 55 percent of all U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Nearly 15 percent of American children and more than 10 percent of adolescents are overweight, double the percentages since 1968. The health care costs for treating diseases caused by obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease was over $100 billion in 1999.

Founded in 1995, the AOA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote research, prevention treatment and education on obesity. AOA supporters include various national public and private organizations that contribute their name to support its issues.