ObesityHelp Iowa Outreach
ObesityHelp.com Reaches Out To Help Change Iowa Medicaid WLS Decision
|
Dr. Paul Cirangle, M.D., FACS 
Dr. Alberto Aceves, MD, FACS
Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, MD
Dr. Neil Marymor, MD, FACS
Dr. Scott Welle, DO
Dr. Christopher You
Dr. John Meilahn, MD, FACS
Dr. Brendon Curtis“While this was merely part of highly politicized efforts to prevent a state government shut down, the language adopted was biased, citing patient non-compliance as a cause of standard surgical complications. Whether intentional or not, this paints the obese in a poor light and should be addressed. Medicaid is responsible for a lot of long-term coverage and therefore should be at the forefront of example-setting. In recent years 45 out of 50 states have covered WLS, but if that number were to start slipping, other payers — both public and private sector — could be motivated to follow suit. So even if you are not covered by Medicaid this could potentially impact — for years to come — your access, or that of your children or other loved ones — to bariatric procedures such as revisions or potentially plastics. So, one way or another, you probably have some personal stake in this."
Please bring this important advocacy effort to the attention of your surgeon, and if you want to support OH and our membership, please thank your surgeon for their ObesityHelp sponsorship or let them know why he or she should consider financially sponsoring ObesityHelp.com.
We also invite you to share your personal Medicaid/advocacy experiences with us and to invite your surgeon to encourage his/her patients to as well. Share your experiences below or email: [email protected].
OH & Advocacy
ObesityHelp cares about the issues that are important to you and your community! In addition to the Iowa Medicaid campaign, here's another recent advocacy effort that we are supporting:
Get Healthy, Philly!
ObesityHelp is happy to be doing its part in advocating for those suffering from obesity and is currently working side by side with the Philadelphia Department of Health, in their quest to Get Healthy, Philly! We are encouraging members who live in the immediate area to attend an advisory group that will play an important role in “making sure that the work of the department is grounded in the experience of real people affected by obesity and is responsive to their needs”. All professionals in close proximity have also received multiple communications from OH staff inviting them to participate and lend their expertise on how to reduce and prevent obesity. Although this is a very specific geographic region we are tackling at this time, we are not stopping there! Stay tuned in future issues of OH Magazine to stay involved in your community and join us in the fight!
An OH Advocacy Outreach Blast From The Past!
In March of 2004, ObesityHelp hosted a Bariatric forum in Jacksonville, Florida when it came to our attention that Medicaid would no longer support WLS. Over 40 caring Bariatric professionals attended the obesity summit conference in an effort to support the citizens of Florida who were dependant on Medicaid coverage.
Stay tuned for more OH advocacy updates! If you have a obesity related advocacy issue that is important to you, please bring it to our attention. Email Tammy at: [email protected]
Here are just a few reasons why ObesityHelp.com cares so much about YOU and the issues that matter most to your well-being:
=======
“Poor people have health issues too and those health issues include weight related problems requiring WLS. Shame on Medicaid and the powers that be who don’t value ALL people. It’s clear to me that they only find value in “the wealthy? people.
=========
I had this surgery in 2006. This isn’t just a weight loss surgery. In MANY cases it can be a lifesaving tool. Every person I know that has been through this has been restored to better health and become more productive citizens… I truly believe that without surgery, I wouldn’t be here on Earth today to enjoy my children and grandchildren… The saving is in the SAVING LIVES. Thanks for allowing my input. -Homemaker101
===========
