Let me explain why I am so upset!!!!!

I'm so sorry...I didn't know we could not copy things found on the internet into these post..... So here is the link for the article in Time Magazine..... Let me explain why I am so upset. YES!!!! I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT 99% OF MY OBESITY IS CAUSED BY OVEREATING....I CAN'T DENY THAT..... HOWEVER: Let me say this: Does the Government disallow medical benefits to alcoholics who can stop putting the bottle to their lips in the same way, the supposedly we can stop putting the fork to our mouths. I don't think so. Does the Government disallow medical benefits to people who have skin cancer from sitting out in the sun too long.....trying to get the perfect tan....I don't think so. Does the Government disallow medical benefits to people who sick needles in their arms, snort dope, etc. Not that I know of. So why is the government involved in the obesity issues, it makes me so angry because if you haven't figured it out; obesity in most people's minds is not a health issue it is a social issue. They just don't want to admit it...They think by saying their two cents about it that their constituents will think they are proactive. If they are so proactive, why not offer insurance coverage to help us with our struggles of obesity. Alcoholics, drug addicts, etc all have access through their insurance companies and government supported programs for help, but you mention obesity to someone and guess what obesity is not covered or has been removed from policies so that those of us that struggle with these issues weather medical, physical, or mental cannot get any assistance, and have to pay for these out of our own pockets. Not to mention that all the big insurance companies have political lobbyist that are using their unlimited resources to fight against us getting assistance. So now you know why I am so angry. I am sorry if I have offened anyone. That was not my intention; this whole issue makes me crazy. I had to quit three wonderful jobs before I finally found a company to work for that their insurance policy would cover issues related to obesity; and I am not just talking just about bariatric surgery, I am talking about even getting coverage for things like blood pressure medicine becuase my diagnosis was morbid obesity. SHOULD WE REALLY HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THINGS LIKE SIMPLE INSURANCE COVERAGE BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY. I THINK NOT!!! Betty Myers St. Louis, MO

You are right on Betty. People still think it is ok to discriminate against obese people. It just is a fact. Since I have lost my weight I am treated much better by everyone including docs as I was when I was still morbidly obese. It is sad but that is the way it is and the truth hurts. We are looked on like lepers and something contagious and a total lack of will power. That is not how they treat alcolholcis or drug addicts.

I agree with you wholeheartedly Betty. My insurance company told me they would cover bariatric surgery 6 months ago as long as it was medically necessary. Now, my doctors are ready to get the ball rolling and I called the precertification number and was told that there is a written exclusion for any type of weight loss surgery. This just baffles me. I'm not sure what to do other than to go ahead and let the doctors send letters to my insurance company in hopes that they will reconsider. This is a very heated issue for some, and when you compare the cost of related health care problems associated with obesity (diabetes, GERD, etc.) against the cost of the procedure, it's clearly a no brainer!! I pray for changes and am going to continue to pursue the surgery. Good luck and God Bless. Jill

AMEN!