Got This From The Other List...Help!

URGENT ! Please help us help Wisconsin members this morning URGENCY NEEDED!! Original Post by Jeannie Colter RN,C at 7:11 AM CST on 07/12/2005 Mt Vernon, ME Hi everyone, A doctor sent this to me: "Sitting on Governor Doyle's desk is a budget which ELIMINATES coverage for Bariatric Surgery via Medicaid. Governor Doyle has ASSURED us last week that he was going to veto this provision in the budget. It appears that political pressure (from both parties) has swayed him to a position where he is NOT going to veto this measure. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS BLOW TO THE AVAILABILITY OF BARIATRIC SURGERY FOR THE CITIZENS OF WISCONSIN! We must act NOW! It is our understanding that the final decision will be made early to mid week." I urge everyone reading this to contact the Governor's office directly by phone - number and email below. Get fellow postops, preops, family members, employers, friends to call and urge him to veto this measure. Explain what bariatric surgery has done for you. Explain how many medications have been eliminated by your weight loss. Explain how much more productive you are after your weight loss. Explain how your quality of life has improved. FLOOD HIS OFFICE PHONE! Email him. Contact friends in your support groups and urge the same. I had this from one who will be collecting your emails and sending them to the governor: "Someone, everyone, please post something on the ObesityHelp.com Message Boards, both Statewide and Nationwide. Urge people to contact Governor Doyle's Office. Urge them to look at this site for more information." Elimination of Medicaid coverage for bariatric surgery has the potential to start a domino effect of non-governmental health care plans doing the same. The Governor needs to hear that Bariatric Surgery actually SAVES money in the long run. In fact, a gastric bypass is PAID for in other medical cost savings and increased productivity in three years! He needs to hear that CUTTING bariatric coverage from Medicaid will actually result in increased costs to the taxpayers of Wisconsin! Even more importantly, what's done in one state will affect other states and in the end, will affect your families, friends, etc. everywhere. To contact Governor Doyle by email, go here: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/contact.asp?locid=19 By phone: Madison Office 608-266-1212 Northern WI Office 715-762-5900 Milwaukee Office 414-227-4344 Washington, D.C. Office 202-624-5870 Thanks for all your help this morning. - JC {CO-CEO ObesityHelp}

Jeannie posted this later... posted this today on the governor's website, so please not phone and fax numbers: Ok, I have just spent 25 minutes on the phone with the Governor's office. His input was ----> just don't email and call the governor, do this: FAX your letter to him at fax # 608-284-2003 {the office said this is BEST because they will be given to the governor !!!} ..... AND ALSO VERY IMPORTANT} to the Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton at this information: Office of the Lieutenant Governor 19 East, State Capitol P.O. Box 2043 Madison, WI 53702 Phone: (608) 266-3516 Fax: (608) 267-3571