If a Republican Senator from New Hampshire has his way, gastric bypass surgery could be covered by health insurance. According to his legislative cronies and health insurance companies it won't be an option any time soon.The Senator had gastric bypass and had to pay more than $20,000 out of his own pocket. Government officials paying for their own health insurance and medical procedures is an eye-opening rarity. The Senator decided to pursue the measure after learning his family health insurer, Cigna Health Care, would not cover the procedure. Doctors advised Clegg to have the bypass because it also would correct problems with his metabolism.
Cigna's lobbyist said the insurer covers gastric bypass surgery in some, but not all, of its insurance plans. Mandating it as a benefit on all policies would raise premiums.
The SB 312 is compassionate and it is well-meaning but a tremendously bad idea according to political cronies.
Anthem, another health insurance carrier, said the gastric bypass procedure is too new to know the long-term impacts. Gastric bypass surgery improves diabetic symptoms but does not alter risks from high levels of cholesterol or blood pressure.
Another thought is that this costly surgery would lower medical costs by improving health and reducing the risk of worker injuries.
see: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080416/NEWS02/484626802/-1/OPINION01
