(Not a question but ) FYI - THIS WAS POSTED IN A NEWSPAPER TODAY.

CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) -- Just when the U.S. government has declared obesity a public health crisis, insurers are growing more skeptical of drastic -- and expensive -- remedies like "stomach stapling" surgery. Demand is skyrocketing for these bariatric surgeries, which shrink the stomach to help the obese lose weight. The number of procedures performed in the United States jumped to 103,000 last year from about 16,000 in the early 1990s, according to Dr. Robert Steinbrook, a national correspondent for The New England Journal of Medicine. "The epidemic of obesity in the United States has spawned a second epidemic -- of bariatric surgery," he wrote in the March 11 edition. Analysts say many factors are driving the frenzy, including a rise in obesity, the advent of less-invasive surgical techniques and publicity from celebrities like NBC television personality Al Roker and singer Carnie Wilson, whose surgery was broadcast over the Internet. But as health insurers grapple with mounting medical costs, the $30,000 procedure is coming under close scrutiny. HMOs say the complication rate is high, and some are refusing to cover it at all. "While everyone initially covered it, I think everyone is getting more diligent" about qualifying patients who really need it, said Mohit Ghose, spokesman for the trade group that represents most U.S. managed health plans. The surgery is recommended for people who are "morbidly obese" -- generally defined as overweight by more than 100 pounds for men and 80 pounds for women. According to U.S. government data, 4.7 percent of Americans fall into that category. But experts agree the risks of the surgery are grave -- including excessive bleeding, blood clots, infection, ulcers, gastrointestinal leaks, respiratory failure and spleen injury. 'Questionable benefit' But Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, with 6 million members, will end coverage of bariatric surgeries next year, saying they are "risky" and "of questionable benefit."

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