Sen. Clegg Pushing for Bariatric Surgery to be Covered

One of the bills that Governor Lynch is mulling from the 2008 legislative session would require health insurers to offer bariatric surgery as an option for obese citizens across the state. The type of surgery is known more commonly as “gastric bypass” surgery or “stomach stapling” and essentially reduces the size of the stomach. Reducing the size of the stomach restricts the amount of food that a person can consume at each sitting with the goal of dramatic weight loss.

The measure is sponsored by state Senator Bob Clegg, who lost a significant amount of weight after undergoing the procedure in September of last year. Already he is down to about 270 pounds after a pre-surgery weight of almost 380 pounds. The senator had to pay for the operation out of his own pocket as the surgery was not covered by his insurer. The cost? About $20,000.

Clegg said that previous efforts to lose weight by the traditional dieting and exercise routine failed for him and can for others. Most HMO’s do not provide coverage for the procedure citing the risks of the surgery, the effectiveness of traditional weight loss methods, and increased premiums.

Clegg, whose goal is to weigh 225 pounds by July, believes that the surgery will pay for itself in the form of long-term savings. The senator pointed to a variety of health issues that the surgery can help reduce the risk of such as diabetes, cardiac issues, and stroke.

In a statement, Clegg said, “We have one of the best health care systems in the world, but at a time when health care costs are becoming prohibitive, perhaps we need to consider a dose of common sense. Instead of just paying for the catastrophic results of diseases such as diabetes, doesn't it make more sense to use tools such as bariatric surgery to halt the disease and the long-term costs of treating these diseases?”

Other states such as Maryland and Indiana have similar laws to Clegg’s proposal. It is not yet clear if Gov. Lynch will veto the bill.