Question:
How do we get WLS coverd by law nationwide?
I am tired of people fighting to get WLS paid for by insurance that refuses. This is a LIFE SAVING procedure, just like cancer surgery. I know nothing but wonder if it could be a federal law? We organize a bunch of post/ pre ops to visit congressmens offices nationwide. Kinda a grass roots campaign. Does anyone know more about how this could be accomplished? — bob-haller (posted on September 3, 2002)
September 2, 2002
I do not know, but if someone contacts you about it with info, please keep
us updated here. I will do whatever I can.Post-op Open RNY/Distal 12/10/01.
— Patricia R.
September 2, 2002
I've written both all my congressmen/women at the state and federal levels.
I've also gotten back ridiculous replies about how he commended me for my
"proactive involvement in advocating research funding to find a cure
for severe obesity....my staff and I will carefully monitor the funding
levels for NIDDK and NIH as the appropriations process continues, keeping
in mind your situation when given the opportunity to vote."--WHAT A
CROCK!! I sent my letter to him explaining why WLS should be a covered
benefit, just like open heart bypass surgery/etc. HOWEVER...I say, write
your congressmen/women and perhaps we can even start a petition. It would
have to be an organized effort on behalf of the members here at
ObesityHelp.Com. Bush seems to be a health nut, so it just might be
something that could be effective if we have enough names on the petition.
I've never participated in anything like that, but would be more than
willing to get involved as soon as possible.
— Lynda L.
September 2, 2002
well, seeing as how there is a half hearted campaign against obesity
already in progress in our government (actually it might as well be a
public service message but anyway..)this would be as good a time as any to
see if they will back their concern. I will be willing to participate. If
we were to organize the whole site by breaking it down to one or two people
(maybe more) from every state to hit the PEER LIST and contact all our
members from each state with the exact same form/procedure so that it
apears one united effort instead of numerous smaller efforts I think great
things could be accomplished. I would be willing to act for ARIZONA. Let me
know. Let's put the word out!!
— nicole P.
September 3, 2002
Actually, depending on what kind of ins you have not all cancer treatments
or anything else is covered by law. There are no laws saying your ins has
to cover anything. It's up to the people who choose the policy for your
company. Now most cancers and other forms of treatment are covered, but
many have a one year pre-existing condition attached to them. So this isn't
an answer to your question, just a little insight into how ins works. You
want people to get coverage encourage them to talk to the human resources
dept, find out who negotiates health care contracts, and talk to them. take
care.
— Becky K.
September 3, 2002
In the state of Virginia their is a law that was past in 2000 that states
Insurance companies must make gastris bypass surgery available. The
keyword is AVAILABLE. I had to fight for 8 months. Where it is the law
that the ins co. has to make it AVAILABLE, the insurance companies set up
thier own guidlines. So basically this law means nothing and you still
have to go hell and back to get it.
— Debbie W.
September 3, 2002
I don't know the answer....but after some research on successful campains
of this sort, I found like the previous answer, is getting an organized
effort together. I would be willing to do anything to help. I am a
librarian in Ky.
— Oldsoul
September 3, 2002
We need to write our Congressman / Congresswoman. In my case Wal-Mart is
self insurer and will only cover whatever the government tells them.
— sherri parker
September 3, 2002
Hey, I've got an idea! If someone knows or is aquainted with that lawyer
that helps people with MO win discrimination law suits and the like, you
could ask him what steps we could take as a group. Is there anyone else
that would be "in the know" that we could ask for advice? If you
know of someone, ask them, please. I'm dyin' to be an activist!
— Carolynn J.
September 3, 2002
the key words in your statement were *when* a company covers cancer, yes,
most do because there would be public cry and hue, but it's not mandated by
law that they cover it. Obesity is still seen as preventible by lifestyle
(and don't jump my butt over it, I don't choose how the public sees things)
and cancer happens because of nothing the person can help. Of course that
leads to the lung cancer arguments but... and so on.. which leads to why it
would be so difficult to get a law passed saying ins has to cover obesity
surgery... .
Becky
— Becky K.
September 3, 2002
Maybe an online petition could be started and then sent to congressman and
large insurance companies. With all the people on this site, and thousands
of others out there who have weight problems, I am sure that we could make
some noise if we all stuck together. The problem is, is that obesity has
been made to be a humilating condition in our country. It is really looked
down upon and not yet considered a true disease by most people. Very few
very overweight people have enough confidence to get up and shout and
scream for their rights. I think the key is banding together and at least
start writing letters, petition etc. We have to make some noise! There was
a lady at my doctor's office who had Medicaid, and Medicaid refused to pay
for her surgery. She went down to their offices everyday and sat there day
in and day out telling everyone who came in her story. They finally got
sick of her and agreed to pay for it. Because of her bold actions she has
opened the door in our state to people with Medicaid getting this surgery.
I have Medicaid and I just had mine in July. I think we are making
progress slowly but surely, but I think more needs to be done too! (open
RNY July 23,2002 -40lbs)
— Shawnie S.
September 5, 2002
I would love to get in on some kind of group effort to force the government
to mandate coverage for our surgeries. Here in GA we have the so-called
"new legislation". Big deal... all that did was say the
insurance companies MAY cover surgery... not that they HAVE to. So lots of
them choose not to. I have learned way too much about insurance since
starting this battle. I did hear that there was a bill that went before the
GA senate at the beginning of '02 that would mandate coverage but it did
not pass. I have heard it will go before them again in '03.... any
Georgians out there heard about this? I am wondering if it is true or not.
.... Pam
— Pam B.
September 5, 2002
I am thinking of visiting my local pittsburgh congressmans office. With
some nice before photos and a pre op who was denied WLS for a dumb
insurance reason. Any rejected pre op like to go along? Sorry I havent been
around much espically this topic, my business is boomuing and 14 hour days
are taking ALL my time. I do stuff for schools and they just opened.
— bob-haller
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