Obesity Bill introduced - GET involved!

This article is in the AJC today online....I know we've discussed this before..but for those who haven't seen it.... If you don't know who your Reps / legislators are, it's time to find out and BE HEARD!! Bill would cover care for obesity By NANCY BADERTSCHER The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 01/29/05 Gastric bypass surgery and other treatments for the morbidly obese would be a required part of health care coverage under legislation introduced Friday in the Georgia House. The bill would benefit people who are seeking medical help to lose weight and have 100 or more pounds to shed, or weigh twice what insurance tables list as their ideal. State Rep. Nikki Randall (D-Macon), the bill's sponsor, said obesity needs to be acknowledged as a disease on par with alcoholism. "Either we pay for it now -- on the front end -- or pay for it for many years treating people with diabetes and heart disease," Randall said. She acknowledged that the bill faces a tough road in the Republican House and with legislators who consider it an unfair mandate on insurance companies. A similar bill was introduced in the state Senate in the late 1990s but went nowhere. Other legislative proposals to combat obesity have had similar fates, including bills to ban vending machines in public schools and to make physical education classes mandatory. One of the few bills that did pass was last year's law to protect fast-food restaurants from frivolous obesity lawsuits State Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton), a doctor with a family practice who is chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said Randall's bill is "good legislation" that will have a difficult time. "It's just that everybody is having to look at mandates, and mandates are very unpopular," Thomas said. "It's just one of those things where health care costs are so expensive that, when you start mandating that insurance cover something, insurance companies will say they are going to have to increase premiums." Thomas said he has heard that insurance companies have been covering gastric bypass surgeries but are reconsidering their stance because of the surgery's popularity and cost. Estimates on the cost of surgical procedures to deal with obesity range from $5,000 to $25,000.

Oh, Tami, I was going through newspaper withdrawal...completely forgot about AJC online!!! Thanks for the valuable info. on the bill. It's going to take all of us in the trenches! Love ya' and prayed for you and your dad this morning! Hugs, Becky

Hi Ms. Becky, How are you? Have you had your blood work done yet? Hope all is well Love ya girlfriend, Crece

Thank you soooo much for posting this! I wanted to share the info with the local support group. I will post this info on the msg board there. HUgs, Tonya

If you go to this link http://www.obesitylaw.com/discrim.htm You can look up your representatives and also there is a pre-written letter there that is addressed to President Bush to print out and sign and send to him. I am going to do that and also modify the letter and send it to my state representative. We must all do our part to help others who need this surgery. Kelly S

Thanks for the great resource, Kelly. I editted the letter a bit and wrote Rep. Linder. I also mentioned that I am a long-time supporter and a Republican...couldn't hurt. LOL I think it is critical that we contact our representatives this weekend in case the vote is next week. Becky

Here's a link to Rep. Linder's page in case anyone who lives in this district needs it. http://linder.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home Hugs, Becky

I wrote Congressman Scott last week about HB 43. When I make up my mind I want the surgery to be an option so I'll lobby for it, even if it's for someone else. Glad Senator Thomas is on board.