Oregon Health Plan????

Does anyone know the requirements of the Oregon health plan to have WLS??? my mom really wants to have it done and we're moving to Oregon in like 6 months.... insurance down here in CA won't cover her!! can anyone offer some advice???????? Thanks in Advance!! -Dawnyel

According to the OHSU website, "Currently, surgery for the treatment of obesity is 'below-the-line' for OHP."  That means that OHP will not cover any WLS as a matter of policy.  Here's the link to the website: http://www.ohsu.edu/health/page.cfm?id=10139

I have to say, i'm glad they don't.  I don't understand how it is the state of Oregon's responsibility to pay for WLS.  Frankly, i'm a little irritated that someone who does not contribute to the states economy would even question what our welfare system pays for.  I had to fork over the 11 thousand dollars to have my surgery, perhaps thats what this family will have to do as well.

The poor contribute to the state's economy more than you can know.  Don't judge until you can walk in their shoes. Linda

In what way do the poor not contribute to the state's economy? There are plenty of working poor (and the number is growing) who pay taxes and still can't make ends meet. I recommend that you read Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel and Dimed". She is a highly educated person who tried to live on minimum wage for a period of time and despite her education level and skills, she found it impossible. Also, a person on the Oregon Health Plan may be on it for  disability or other reasons, not because they are some sort of freeloader. Health care should be a right, not a privilege. WLS is a proven treatment for obesity-it should be covered like any other life-saving procedure, in my opinion.

The situation is the women is moving here from california in 6 months.  She has not contributed to the states economy, she has contributed to Californias economy.  I understand the working poor, i have been there.  Why does everything have to be handed out, I didn't get hand outs when I was working graveyard for minimum wage.  I guess I just have a different perspective on the welfare program.  In my line of work, I see the abused side of it or the expected side of it and its very frustrating.

There are people who abuse it, there are people *****ally need it.  If this woman is moving to Oregon, she will be a resident here and should be entitled to anything any resident is entitled to.  I have never even collected unemployment.  I am grateful for everything I have, but I wouldn't begrudge those who are without the things they need.  I hope that you never find yourself in her shoes with a hard-hearted person holding the keys to your future. Linda

I don't see it as "theirs" and "ours".  We are all Americans.   Coming to Oregon because you have family makes you worthy of benefits.  I'm sure her  Oregon family has contributed plenty to our system.  I'm sure she contributed plenty to California's system that she won't get.  It all comes out in the wash.  We should take care of our citizens health and stop seeing it as some kind of hand out.  We are the only western country that doesn't provide national health care.  Just because you were forced to work graveyard minimum wage and still have to PAY thousands of dollars to get your surgery, why would you wish that on others?  I'm sure you are proud of overcoming that obstacle and coming to the losing side.  We all cheer you on.  But it is a shame to want to continue the crazy rational that people are wanting a hand out, when they are trying to get healthy and save them selves and our state from paying for co-morbidities that will make them suck the health/welfare system much more.  It's short sighted and a cruel way to see the world.  Again, we shouldn't think the state of Oregon is "ours".  It's part of our country and people moving to be with family is the way it will always be.  Patty

There is cir****tances where they DO pay for it and I am glad they do. For those that are on OHP are in need of medical insurance. Just because they could be in a job that doesn't offer it or because they can't afford it does not make them not worth having it. You don't know the cir****tances of why they are on it and I personally feel that EVERYONE is entitled to medical coverage and WLS can save alot of money in the long run considering all the health issues that seem to resolve themselves after losing all the extra weight. By the way, how do you know that this person doesn't contribute to the states economy? Alot of people do work full time jobs that still have to have OHP so they can get health care to. And they by the way, are just as entitled to health care as anyone else. Everyone deserves to be healthy and if they aren't healthy then they deserve treatment. Michelle

thanks for your opinion.  I guess it's a good thing these people are moving to Oregon where everyone is entitled to free healthcare.