Question:
Congress passing bill?
My husband ran home from work yesterday to let me know that he heard on the radio that congress was passing a bill that would make ALL insurance companies have to pay for the WLS? Has anyone else heard this or is he mistaken? — SuzysTigger (posted on July 11, 2003)
July 11, 2003
We had a petition going on here that was supposed to be sent to the
lawmakers but far as I know, nothing has been done about it or at least i
haven't heard.
— Delores S.
July 11, 2003
I haven't heard of Congress taking action. I would be surprised if the
Republican House, the Republican Senate, and the Republican President would
enact a pro consumer anti-corporate bill into law. Don't count on this
Administration to assist by requiring hyealth insurance corporations to
cover a particular procedure.
I would think that the better odds are the state legislatures that regulate
health insurance companies operating in their states. For example, in New
Jersey, the legislature required health insurers to pay hospitals as
in-network if they were in-network, whether the surgeon was in-network or
out-of-network. What was going on was if there was an out-of-network
surgeon the the health insurer would pay the hospital less, thus putting
more expense on the consumer. Good luck.
— David F.
July 11, 2003
Haven't heard that, but if its true, it will mean everyone premiums will go
up too, even those who will never need the surgery. Its great info for
some, not great info for others - such as families who can barely afford
premiums now.
— bethybb
July 11, 2003
Hi,
I haven't heard any anouncements about that. But, I came across this online
petition to Congress for WLS. I think it is definitley worth everyone
stopping by and signing it. It could make all the difference to a lot of
people. Please take a moment and pop in.
http://shawnag1976.tripod.com/shawnasweightlosssurgeryjournal/id13.html
Thanks, Vikki
— Vikki L.
July 11, 2003
In Texas, state employees lost all health benefits related to obesity
mid-year! WLS patients were literally yanked from surgery minutes before
going under the knife.
— beckyvee
July 11, 2003
I read your post and the answers posted below and was encouraged but yet
disturbed by one persons lack of education when it comes to the health care
expenses that people pay out of pocket. Can you imagine how health care
costs would DROP if there was less than half the people now taking
medicines for countless comorbidities such as diabetes, sleep apnea,
arthritis and future problems such as cancer and heart disease. I'm sure a
lifetime of prescription medications for a MO person would by far exceed
the costs of this surgery. Second of all, I am the person who started the
petition on the site listed below. You can see my profile for a direct
link as well. Please spread the news about this petition as I have spoken
to a former Capitol Hill Intern and she relayed the information that I
would need 500,000 signatures to present before Congress. I have less than
5000 now, so we need to get cracken. An estimated 40,000 will have this
surgery this year and if only half of those people sign, we would be well
on our way! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to visit my site and
sign. Take care!
— SMG I.
July 12, 2003
Shawna wrote--'but yet disturbed by one persons lack of education when it
comes to the health care expenses that people pay out of pocket. Can you
imagine how health care costs would DROP if there was less than half the
people now taking medicines for countless comorbidities such as diabetes,
sleep apnea, arthritis and future problems such as cancer and heart
disease. I'm sure a lifetime of prescription medications for a MO person
would by far exceed the costs of this surgery'----You are making the
assumption that all, or even half MO people would opt to have this surgery.
And that all people that have this surgery are on at least one form of
medication that would exceed appox. 40k dollars over a lifetime. That is
not the case at all. This would in fact raise premiums. Fact of the
matter is, it is a costly surgery..one that is not the answer to all MO
people out there. There will still be the expense of MO related illnesses.
Besides, look at it from the insurance companies point of view....a reason
to raise rates. Why wouldnt they jump all over that? When was the last
time any of you saw a decrease in your health insurance premium?
— RebeccaP
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