Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Advocacy for WLS patients

Hi everyone,

Long Time no Write... I found the following sample letter to send to your local legislator and thought if we all take a step to send out a letter it could help. This letter was written by Deb Gedney, and I found it with the SCA_WLS_support@yahoogroups.com. I think if we each take a moment to compose a letter and send it in as well as forward this message out we can get something going. I will be sending mine soon.


The steps are:
1. Write to the correct person (send via internet http://www.house.gov/writerep/) (senate http://www.senate.gov/)
2. Mention the specific legislation in question so the politician or his/her staff can look it up
3. Explain why this affects you and why you care about the issue
4. Ask for action such as supporting or not supporting the proposed legislation

The Sample Letter (Remember to change the info accordingly).


March 12, 2006

Governor M. Jodi Rell
Office of the Governor
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford , CT 06106
governor.rell@...
Telephone: (860) 566-4840

Commissioner Susan Cogswell
State of Connecticut Insurance Department P.O. Box 816 Hartford , CT 06142-0816 susan.cogswell@...
Telephone: (860) 297-3801

March 12, 2006

Ref: Senate Bill #579
"An Act Concerning Health Insurance Coverage for Medical Services and Treatment for Morbid Obesity"

Dear Gov. Rell, Commissioner Cogswell and Members of the CT State Insurance Department:

I am a post-bariatric surgery patient, having had a gastric bypass performed by Dr. Robert Bell on May 27, 2004. This surgery literally saved my life and the lives of many people very dear to me, including my husband. I am writing today to request your support of Raised S.B. No. 552. This legislation has been introduced and been assigned to the Joint Insurance and Real Estate Committee. The bill would mandate treatment for Morbid Obesity under fully insured health plans. Details on the bill can be found at www.cga.ct.gov/2006/TOB/S/2006SB-00552-R00-SB.htm. Your immediate support is very important as Raised S.B. No. 552 will be considered at a public hearing on March 14.


On the morning that I had my surgery, I weighed 360 lbs. I had extremely severe sleep apnea, was pre-diabetic and had a long history of depression. I had been obese since childhood, and had a documented lifetime of unsuccessful weight loss efforts, including taking dangerous drugs such as ephedrine, phentermine and fenflouramine. Nothing worked for more than a few weeks. In addition to the physical effects of obesity, I also suffered from documentable job discrimination, romantic failures and just everyday quality of life issues such as not being able to fit in the seats of an amusement park ride, airplane or movie theater. I could not walk up a ladder without fear it would break (most ladders have a weight limit of 275 lbs) or fit on a normal bathroom scale (weight limit of 300 lbs). I wore a size 30 (4x). About 99% of the time, I was the largest person in the room everywhere I went.

My mother, sister and nieces are all obese. My mother is permanently disabled from arthritis and had thyroid cancer, which are conditions that are obviously aggravated by excess weight. My husband was also morbidly obese and suffered from severe sleep apnea, depression and severe back pain. I could see the writing on the wall for me - I urgently needed to lose a LOT of weight if I had any hope of avoiding these conditions. But, as I said, after a lifetime of unsuccessful weight loss efforts, I had almost no hope that anything could help me that I hadn't already tried - and I do mean TRIED with all my might.

Today, as you can see from the attached 'before' and 'after'
pictures, my life is radically improved. With the aid of my gastric bypass, I have lost 150 lbs and wear size 14, not 30. My husband was inspired by my example and also had a gastric bypass in June 2005.
He has lost over 100 lbs and now wears men's size 36, not 48's. Our health has radically improved by every measure and we no longer have severe sleep apnea or pre-diabetes. We formed an online support group that has over 100 members and, I am humbled to say, we are blessed to serve as examples of hope for many people who, like us, thought there was no hope for a normal weight in this lifetime.
This is not about vanity. It is about avoiding an expensive, painful and early death.

In closing, I again urge your support to restore access to obesity management services. I ask that you write back, letting me know your position on this issue. And thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.

Best wishes,
My Name, address and contact info
Posted by The Catapillar :: 3:45 AM :: 1 Comments:

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