FIGHT MEDICARE'S RULING ABOUT HOSPITALS!!

According to the news and the PA at the surgeon's office where I *had* an appointment for next week, on February 21st the announcement was made that "Medicare would cover some procedures only at hospitals considered "centers for excellence" by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Bariatric Surgery." Hospitals were given no time to apply for certification from either organization. We ALL need to contact our federal congressmen and senators about this. The more he11 we raise, the more likely it is the rule will be reversed or revised. Here are some things to point out in your communication (preferably by phone): 1. There was no notice given for this ruling. Hospitals should have had time to apply for certification. 2. Obesity is a life-threatening disease and this ruling has dramatically reduced the facilities available to perform bariatric surgery for months to come. 3. Waivers ARE available and you should urge your politicians to push for a waiver for your particular hospital. Here's the list of US Senators. Just find yours and slam them with emails & phone calls: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Here's the list of Congressmen. Ditto above: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issuesaction/alertlist/?issue=30

I agree, this ruling was unfair to patients already scheduled at non-Center-of-Excellence facilities (which most are not). Also, there isn't any data to suggest that outcomes are better or costs lower at Center of Excellence facilities. You can be a center of excellence, and not a Center of Excellence, if you catch my drift... Dr. C

I am going to do my part, and everyone else should too. It is not right and they should not be able to tell us who we can be treated by or where we can have our surgery at. Even if you don't have Medicare this will eventually effect you too. Most Insurance Companies follow Medicares lead in issues like this, so this could wind up effecting all of us. Jimmy