Question:
What do you think of this?

I live in Canada and as most people know we are very lucky and our government usually pays for almost all surgery 100%. They have decided in the province of Ontario to stop paying for WLS as a cost cutting measure. We only have about a dozen surgeons in the entire country who perform this lifesaving surgery and they have waiting lists at least 2 years long. Most of these doctors don't have the facilities to operate on the super morbidly obese patients. One surgeon Dr. Michael Grace of London Ontario where I am from is the only Dr. who does. His program as of June 2003 will be cancelled. He has fought bitterly to save it but to no avail. Canadians are not taking this lying down and there is going to be a million pound march to Ottawa Ontario where our government is located. Everyone please give us support and think good thoughts because even though most of you have to fight tooth and nail to get insurance to cover you we dont have that option in Canada, it is either our health coverage or nothing. I have been lucky enough to already have had my surgery but millions of others will now not get the chance. Thanks for letting me vent and tell what is happening across the border.    — UMMADUMMASS (posted on September 24, 2002)

September 24, 2002
Hi, I live in Ottawa and you just have to say when, and I'LL BE THERE! :)
   — Patricia E.

September 24, 2002
Caroline, I am so sorry to hear that your government is doing away with paying for this surgery. So many people do not realize the vitality of this surgery. I pray that they come to their senses, but I doubt they do. You will just have to be thankful that you got your surgery, and that you still have the other good benefits that your government offers.
   — Lynda T.

September 24, 2002
Sounds like some number-crunchings up north need to do a cost-benefit analysis. They should weigh the cost of what they have to pay for the WLS vs. what it cost for them to treat all of the co-morbidities that come along with being MO. I think they'll find in the long-run that they will actually save by paying for people to have WLS.
   — John Rushton

September 24, 2002
Classic case of obesity discrimination. I really feel for you guys. Like John said, they really need to think about the long term costs of stabilizing co-mobids and paind relievers and such. I really hope you guys can turn this thing around.
   — Teekay80

September 24, 2002
I wonder why they have not cut cost on cancer treatments, that is as life threatening as this surgery is. Everytime I hear thing like this is makes me so mad, I guess if the people who make these laws had to walk 5 steps in our shoes then things would be different, I am sorry if I have offended anyone but this surgery saved my life after I had a weight induced heart attack at the age of 36. So I will fight for the rest of my life to help anyone that medically needs this surgery have it. Good luck on your march!!!!!! Don't let them off.
   — Danielle F.

September 24, 2002
Caroline, it is only recently in the US that WLS has been written into so many health plans and in most cases is State law. Obviously, someone did research and discovered that the cost of obesity co-morbidities is more than the cost of WLS. Perhaps you could research this on the net and flood your legislators with this irrefutable evidence of costs savings.
   — Cindy R.