Getting IHS to fund WLS

This has become something I am trying to advocate for. Our people suffer in great numbers from obesity and related illnesses. We have the highest rate of diabetes of any ethnic group in America. Something needs to be done for the health of our people. I recently went to an appointment of my mother's. I watched many patients leaving with huge bags of medications. They will spend countless amounts of money to treat diseases and conditions directly related to the obesity of a patient but will not spend the needed money to treat the reason for the problems. My sister's medication alone is around $500 a month. She has had 2 heart surgeries. I truly believe losing weight would end many of her problems. Yet she is not able to get the surgery. In just 1 year her medications cost $6000.00. I think this is a cause worth fighting for. Many times IHS is the primary (if not only) source of medical insurance/care. Most state medicaid programs will now pay for the surgery. So why won't IHS? Anyone know of any advocate groups (national or local)?

Hey there Colita.... I just found this board by looking around and found your message from a few weeks ago compelling.....while I am not sure of any advocate groups I think we should ban together and start looking....I had surgery almost three years ago and thankfully my insurance paid for it but if I would not have had this opp I am sure I would be so close to dying . I weighed almost 400 pounds and thankfully did not have diabetes but it runs rampant in my family including the death of my grandmother. My father is obese and diabetic with other ailments too....of course I had surgery for myself but also because I did not walk in the footprints of my family. While I did not lose all my weight (yet) it has so saved my life. I have recently married the love of my life that I would have never met without losing weight. I am a native and member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe in North Central MT and would be glad to join forces with you to help find an advocate or push to get one. Let me know if you are interested and I would love to connect. Our Indian Country could use a helping hand and save their lives.... Take care, Ann

Hi.....I am a Pit River Tribal member of North eastern california....I had my DS on Sept. 30, 2002 and am very interested in WLS and the categories with IHS.  If you have any current information regarding this I am very interested....this is also a battle that my native people here face and it needs to stand at large.....we need help.  Why pay millions of dollars on medications and heart surgeries or dialasis or other weight related illness and not allow our people to have one surgery to save lives.....together the tribes of north america need to be heard.....we need to battle these diseases and WIN.