Government closer to Universal Coverage FOR WLS..

We're On Our Way To Universal Insurance Coverage for WLS! or An Eventual Reprieve for Many on "Death Row" Yesterday, Medicare announced that it now recognizes obesity as an illness - a change in policy that may eventually allow millions of obese individuals to obtain Medicare and Medicaid coverage and payment for Weight Loss Surgery and/or diet programs. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said, in announcing the change, "Obesity is a critical public health problem in our country that causes millions of Americans to suffer unnecessary health problems and to die prematurely." I see and celebrate this as the first link in a chain of events and policy changes that will ultimately result in universal health insurance coverage of WLS costs for morbidly obese people - and end the unconscionable imprisoning of so many of our peers on "Death Row" because their insurance won't cover the procedure and they can't pay for it themselves. "With this new policy," Thompson said, "Medicare will be able to review scientific evidence in order to determine which interventions improve health outcomes for seniors and disabled Americans who are obese." With the removal of language in Medicare policy that said obesity is not an illness, beneficiaries will be able to request a government review of medical evidence to determine whether certain treatments for obesity (such as bariatric surgery) can be covered. Although Medicare and Medicaid programs cover sicknesses causes by obesity - including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer and gallbladder disease - the previous policy meant that weight-loss therapies have often been denied coverage. "The medical science will now determine whether we provide coverage for the treatments that reduce complications and improve quality of life for the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who are obese," said Mark McClellan, administrator of the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees health insurance programs for the elderly, disabled and poor. HHS said the policy change is not expected to immediately alter Medicare coverage, and no figures were provided on potential costs to taxpayers. The Medicare agency said it may meet this fall to review scientific evidence on various WLS procedures. I am thrilled about this rational, compassionate, humane, cost-effective and overdue policy change. A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. Today, let's celebrate our first step toward creating a more equitable society where a person's lack of insurance or resources won't deny them the medical interventions that can save and prolong their lives. Please help get this information out to WLSers - and potential WLSers - in your own support groups and circles. (See http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=health&cat=Obesity for more information about this important policy change. See also my newsletters #37 and #38, addressing these issues, on the "Through Thick and Thin" newsletters page at my website at www.weightlosssurgerycoach.com ) Glenn Goldberg, VBG 10.24.02, 360/178

Glenn, Thanks so much for this important information! Pattie