Question:
have you heard the Gov. is proposing to eliminate gastric bypass operations from medi
The reason given to support this proposal is that patients over 65 have a high fatality experience with this operation. We need to contact our Congressmen & Senators. Jerry — jerry C. (posted on December 15, 2005)
December 15, 2005
There should be a lot of care and concern in chosing a person for WLS
regardless of the age. Morbid Obesity takes a toll on a persons body for
years, as does age in itself. However, a 65 plus age person could be
healthier than a 30 or 40 year old with multiple co morbids. Perhaps the
government should not work so much around an age limit, which is
discrimination for health care. But instead they should focus on making
WLS more easily available for those who have suffered and are still put
through years of waiting and hoop jumping. Those are the years that cause
the most harm. Then perhaps we would not have to be in the 65 plus age
group.
We the MO know the pain we go through and have experienced year after year.
We get to the point we will do anything if it just gives us our last few
years a chance at being well again. Nip it in the bud when we are still
young enough.
— Barb S
December 15, 2005
There should be a lot of care and concern in chosing a person for WLS
regardless of the age. Morbid Obesity takes a toll on a persons body for
years, as does age in itself. However, a 65 plus age person could be
healthier than a 30 or 40 year old with multiple co morbids. Perhaps the
government should not work so much around an age limit, which is
discrimination for health care. But instead they should focus on making
WLS more easily available for those who have suffered and are still put
through years of waiting and hoop jumping. Those are the years that cause
the most harm. Then perhaps we would not have to be in the 65 plus age
group.
We the MO know the pain we go through and have experienced year after year.
We get to the point we will do anything if it just gives us our last few
years a chance at being well again. Nip it in the bud when we are still
young enough.
— Barb S
December 16, 2005
Hello Jerry -- thanks for the information. You know this administration
loves BIG BUSINESS and what business is big --PHARMACEUTICAL companies.
People on this site that have had WLS have probably been on a myriad of
medications. Once a person has WLS --what do they stop taking -- diabetic
medications, high blood pressure meds, and problem a few other medications
that I can't even think of. People being cured of obesity takes money out
of the big pharmacy companies. I wonder how much does an obese person
spend on high blood pressure medication a year -- I believe that's why some
of these insurance companies now have all these stipulations before a
person can have the surgery. It's still all about the bottom line -- who's
loosing money and who's making money. And in this case with WKS --doctors
are making money -- pharmacies are loosing money -- and we as patients are
gaining better health, taking less medications, and living longer. We are
making money too by staying out of the doctor's offices, pharmacies and
hospitals. The government should be willing to pay for the surgery because
there are so many people on disability that are obese and due to the weight
are unable to hold a 40 hour week job. There are probably hundreds of
obese people who are disable that would prefer to be working -- and due to
weight -- can't stand for long periods of time, bend over, sit for long
periods, stoop, climb ladders, etc. Some big company has gotten to a few
elected officials about that bottom line. I haven't heard about it here in
the Washington, DC area that this is something that is on the table.
— the7thdean
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