This story discusses eating disorders. If you or someone you know is at risk for an eating disorder, the National Eating Disorders Association has resources and a free screening tool at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988.  FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Ho use passed a bill on Tuesday that would ensure insurers cannot withdraw coverage for eating disorders based solely on body mass index.  House Bill 169 says state regulated health plans cannot “deny, limit, or restrict” coverage for diagnosed eating disorders based only on body mass index, “ideal body weight” or “any other standard requiring an achieved weight,” shifting the focus to the mental health condition driving the disorder.  Kentucky Republican wants to remove BMI from eating disorder treatment standards. Here’s why.  Bill sponsor Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, said the legislation is “more of a mental health initiative than anything else.”  Practitioners who treat eating disorders have said using body mass index (BMI) alone as a standard for measuring treatment progress is problematic, not effective and has resulted in patients losing access to treatment prematurely.  About 9% of Americans live with eating disorders, which can lead to a “preoccupation” with food intake, weight, calories and more, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Girls are more likely to have disordered eating, the Lantern has reported.  HB 169 passed 95-0. It can now go to the Senate for consideration.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The post Kentucky House advances eating disorder treatment reform bill appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less