NCatena
03-23-2006, 11:08 AM
Hi everyone,
Here is the letter that Angie O. composed for us. Please copy and paste it into a Word or Word Perfect document in your own computer, print, and mail to EVERYONE you can think of! (Legislators, Congressmen, Senators, etc)
Nanette
Re: Gastric Bypass Surgery
NY State Mandate
Dear
Obesity is among the leading causes of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. These diseases are extremely expensive to treat and medicate during their duration. People who are obese and have these diseases have a very high chance of cures if they lose and maintain a healthy weight. After losing weight, most are able to come off of maintenance medications and don’t need the extensive medical follow up they required when these conditions were present.
Obesity is a disease. For people who have it, there are both physical and mental afflictions. Many are unable to follow structured programs and lose the weight for many reasons. Even the ones who manage to lose it usually gain it back.
Gastric Bypass Surgery is a modern, sound, and successful option. For many, it is their only chance to lose the weight which is causing their medical problems. Because of the technicalities of the surgery, the patient does not gain back the weight that they lose.
Many insurance plans cover the expenses for Gastric Bypass Surgery. Some states, such as Maryland have state mandates which say that insurance plans written in that state must cover the medical expenses for this surgery. I feel that this should be the case in the state of New York. In the short term, it costs the insurance company a little more to cover the surgery, but within a short time period, that money is recouped in the savings of medication and extensive medical and emotional care for obesity, and the conditions associated with it.
I would like to see a real effort made to make Gastric Bypass Surgery a state mandate in the state of New York. There are many people who need this care, and are unable to get it because of the cost.
Please bring this to the attention of those who could help pass a mandate.
Sincerely,
Here is the letter that Angie O. composed for us. Please copy and paste it into a Word or Word Perfect document in your own computer, print, and mail to EVERYONE you can think of! (Legislators, Congressmen, Senators, etc)
Nanette
Re: Gastric Bypass Surgery
NY State Mandate
Dear
Obesity is among the leading causes of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. These diseases are extremely expensive to treat and medicate during their duration. People who are obese and have these diseases have a very high chance of cures if they lose and maintain a healthy weight. After losing weight, most are able to come off of maintenance medications and don’t need the extensive medical follow up they required when these conditions were present.
Obesity is a disease. For people who have it, there are both physical and mental afflictions. Many are unable to follow structured programs and lose the weight for many reasons. Even the ones who manage to lose it usually gain it back.
Gastric Bypass Surgery is a modern, sound, and successful option. For many, it is their only chance to lose the weight which is causing their medical problems. Because of the technicalities of the surgery, the patient does not gain back the weight that they lose.
Many insurance plans cover the expenses for Gastric Bypass Surgery. Some states, such as Maryland have state mandates which say that insurance plans written in that state must cover the medical expenses for this surgery. I feel that this should be the case in the state of New York. In the short term, it costs the insurance company a little more to cover the surgery, but within a short time period, that money is recouped in the savings of medication and extensive medical and emotional care for obesity, and the conditions associated with it.
I would like to see a real effort made to make Gastric Bypass Surgery a state mandate in the state of New York. There are many people who need this care, and are unable to get it because of the cost.
Please bring this to the attention of those who could help pass a mandate.
Sincerely,