It has been argued that where a person’s behaviour has contributed to their health care issues (e.g. obesity) they should not have the same access to health care or treatment as other people.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics recommend that 'It would generally be inappropriate to deny NHS treatment to people simply on the basis of their obesity. However, persuading them to change their behaviour could be justified, provided that this would make the medical intervention more effective and that they were offered assistance' .
Further reading
Nuffield Council on Bioethics (nd) Obesity. Available at http://nuffieldbioethics.org/report/public-health-2/obesity
It is proposed that obese people should be provided with the same access to treatment as others.