Last update - 00:00 03/01/2008
Obesity now recognized by NII as a disability
By Ruth Sinai, Haaretz Correspondent
People whose functioning is impaired due to obesity, low blood pressure, impotence, AIDS and other conditions can now be recognized as disabled and receive benefits or compensation, following the updating of the National Insurance Institute's (NII) list of disabilities.
Updating this list had been stymied for many years due to objections by attorneys, physicians and organizations of the disabled over fears that the NII was actually attempting to reduce benefit categories.
Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog Wednesday submitted the updated list to the NII council, the body that monitors the NII for the public and the government. Its expected approval will pave the way for the addition of conditions and impairments, including mental health problems and learning disabilities.
The list of conditions has served since the 1950s as a tool in all civil proceedings in the area of damages and for determining levels of disability by birth defects, in traffic accidents, or for war disabled and terror victims.
Four years ago, after lawyers and disabled organizations accused the NII of attempting to lower the percentages of disability in many cases, a committee was appointed consisting of physicians, lawyers and the disabled to discuss disability criteria. The changes Herzog submitted Wednesday are based on the committee's findings.
NII director general Dr. Yigal Ben-Shalom said that despite periodic updatings, the list did not reflect advances in medicine. For example, knee conditions, which once severely limited functioning can now be ameliorated using new orthopedic technologies and thus the percentage of disability can be lowered.
In contrast, a number of illnesses or impairments had not been included because they were not recognized or identified, such as AIDS or certain mental illnesses.
The committee approved five changes so far, mainly because they do not involve lowering percentages of disability, but rather add criteria of eligibility.
The Finance Ministry also approved the changes, apparently recognizing that although new conditions would be added, others would be removed.
One of the most difficult discussions concerned the definition of impotence, which it was decided would be recognized for benefits up to age 70.
Ben-Shalom said Wednesday he had instructed the committee to complete the formulation of the clauses dealing with expanded criteria of mental illnesses within two weeks. He added that a permanent committee of experts should be formed to periodically update the list.