A Patient’s Guide to Advocating for Improved Access to Weight-Loss Surgery and Obesity Management Services in Alaska
(Please click here for a PDF version)

The Importance of Advocacy

Advocacy is defined as the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea or policy.  Advocacy comes in many forms.  This guide will specifically highlight how to effectively work with elected and appointed officials as well as other members of government.  For more information on other types of advocacy, request the Obesity Action Coalition’s (OAC) publication, “Your Voice Makes A Difference.  A Guide On How You Can Help Fellow Patients Affected By Obesity.”

Elected and appointed United States officials at the local, state and federal level play a significant role in our society and healthcare.  Often, the laws they create or administer directly influence our day-to-day lives or regulate the medical treatments we receive.  However, the majority of elected and appointed officials know little about obesity, its effects and treatments.  The OAC seeks to increase awareness among our elected officials by encouraging those affected by obesity to become advocates.

As an American, it is your right to build relationships with your elected officials and to advocate for positive change.  It is through the voice of patients, family members and medical professionals that legislators and other officials learn how current, pending and future laws and regulations impact obese Americans. 

The OAC encourages you to become an advocate for change. 

Accessing the Medical Treatment of Obesity in Alaska

Most healthcare insurers, including the state employee plans, covering citizens of the state of Alaska exclude insurance coverage for bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) and obesity management services.  The OAC believes that the exclusion of bariatric surgery and obesity management services negatively impacts the quality of health and life of the citizens of Alaska by denying them access to needed medical care.  Morbid obesity is a complex disease that requires treatment.  The medical treatment of morbid obesity (through surgery or medical weight management programs including physician-supervised weight-loss and medical nutrition therapy) decreases mortality, improves or resolves obesity-related illnesses and improves quality of life.  Denying patients and their physicians proven options for treatment is an ill-advised, short-term economic decision by insurers in Alaska that endangers the long-term health of many of the citizens of Alaska.

Call to Action

The OAC requests that you educate your state legislators as well as the other key state officials, listed below, about the importance of insurance coverage for weight-loss surgery and obesity management services.  This issue is very important.  Everyday, we read about the impact obesity has on our society, and now it is time for those affected by obesity to come together and demand improved access to treatment in Alaska.

Anyone can be an advocate.  Here are a few suggestions on what you can do.

• Share this information with family, friends and support groups and encourage them to get involved.  The more individuals involved, the stronger our voice.  Feel free to make copies of this guide or call the OAC National Office at (800) 717-3117 for additional copies.

• Write, e-mail, visit or call your legislators and other key officials listed in this guide.

• Let your employer know about the need for bariatric surgery and obesity management coverage through your human resources department and/or union representation.

• Keep the OAC informed of your actions.  Did you write or e-mail your legislator?  Did you post a link to this guide on your Online support group?  Let us know by mailing or e-mailing us a copy of your letter or message. 

The OAC has targeted the following Alaska officials and legislators.  In addition, we encourage you to contact your district representatives.  To find your local representatives, visit www.obesityaction.org. 

*Previously introduced legislation seeking to improve access.

Governor Sarah Palin
P.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001
Phone: (907) 465-3500
Fax: (907) 465-3532
http://gov.state.ak.us/govmailSP.php

Commissioner Karleen Jackson, PhD
Alaska Department of Health and Human Services
PO Box 110601
Juneau, AK 99811-0601
Phone: (907) 465-3030
Fax: (907) 465-3068
karleen_jackson@health.state.ak.us

Director Linda S. Hall, CPCU, CIC
Alaska Division of Insurance
PO Box 110805, Juneau, AK 99811-0805
Phone: (907) 465-2515 
Fax: (907) 465-3422
insurance@commerce.state.ak.us

Representative Harry Crawford *
State Capitol, Room 400
Juneau, AK  99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-3438
Phone: (888) 478-3438
Fax: (907) 465-4565
Rep_Harry_Crawford@legis.state.ak.us

Representative Peggy Wilson
Chairperson, House Health, Education and Social Services Committee
State Capitol, Room 403
Juneau, AK  99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-3824
Phone: (800) 686-3824
Fax: (907) 465-3175
Rep_Peggy_Wilson@legis.state.ak.us

Representative Kurt Olson
Chairperson, House Labor and Commerce Committee
State Capitol, Room 408
Juneau, AK  99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-2693
Phone: 800-463-2693
Fax:  (907) 465-3835
Rep_Kurt_Olson@legis.state.ak.us

Senator Bettye Davis
Chairperson, Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee
State Capitol, Room 30
Juneau, AK  99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465- 3822
Fax: (907) 465-3756
Senator_Bettye_Davis@legis.state.ak.us

Senator Johnny Ellis
Chairperson, Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
State Capitol, Room 9
Juneau, AK  99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-3704
Phone: (888) 330-3704
Fax: (907) 465- 2529 
Senator_Johnny_Ellis@legis.state.ak.us

Below, please find some suggested topics, facts, do’s, don’ts and a sample letter.

• If you are a post-bariatric surgery patient or have participated in an obesity management program, please share in your letter the difference your weight-loss has made in your life from both a quality of life and health standpoint. For instance, if you are no longer a diabetic, you now take a reduced number of medications and/or no longer suffer from sleep apnea.  Your personal story is powerful.

• If you are a state of Alaska employee, please include this information.

• If you are a Medicaid recipient, please include this information.

• If you are seeking weight-loss surgery or obesity management, explain your personal preparation, what health complications you are currently experiencing, how they affect your quality of life and the burden placed on you by the exclusion of weight-loss surgery and obesity management services by Alaska insurers.

• If you are a family member or friend of a weight-loss surgery or obesity management patient, detail the difference weight-loss has made in your family member/friend’s life or how much they would benefit from receiving these services.

• Publicly question why many Alaska insurers deny access to weight-loss surgery and obesity management services.

• More than 157,000 residents of Alaska are considered obese.

• Approximately 33,000 are morbidly obese (more than 100 pounds overweight).

• Individuals who are obese have a 50-100 percent increased risk of premature death from all causes, compared to individuals with a healthy weight.

• More than $195 million is spent annually on the medical expenses associated with obesity in Alaska.

• Extends the lives of patients.

• Causes significant weight-loss.

• Decreases the incidence and costs of obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes (completely resolved in 76.8 percent of patients), hypertension (resolved in 61.7 percent of patients) and sleep apnea (resolved in 85.7 percent of patients).

• Improves the quality of life of the recipients.

• Medicare recently reviewed coverage and after extensive review, expanded access to bariatric surgery.

For more facts, see the OAC publication, “Fact Sheet: Why it makes sense to provide treatment for obesity through bariatric surgery.”

• Write legibly and be brief and to the point.  Short letters (one-page) are the most effective.

• Mention the exclusion of bariatric (weight-loss) surgery and obesity management services in Alaska.

• Give your reasons for opposing the exclusion of weight-loss surgery and other services.

• Be courteous and reasonable.

• Be sure to address the individual by the correct title.

• Include all of your contact information.

• Double check your information for accuracy.

• Use correct grammar and complete sentences.

• If typing your letter, remember to use a spell check feature.

• Include your personal story.

• Write a follow-up letter thanking the individual.

• Try not to be longwinded. 

• Avoid a righteous tone.

• Avoid abbreviations.

• Refrain from apologizing for writing or taking valuable time.

• Do not threaten anyone.

• Try not to mention more than one issue per letter.

• Do not demand anything from the individual.

• Avoid form letters.

• Do not refer or allude to politics as sleazy or dishonorable.

Below, please find a sample letter that will help you get started.

Your Full Name Your Full Address Your City, State and Zip Your Phone Number with Area Code Current Date The Honorable (Insert Legislator or Public Official Name Here) Legislator or Official’s Address Legislator or Official’s City, State, Zip Dear Title (Governor, Senator, Representative, Commissioner, etc.), In your first paragraph, mention the following points: 1. You are writing to request their assistance in improving access to bariatric (weight-loss) surgery and obesity management services in the state of Alaska. 2. Discuss how this specific issue affects you and your family. In your second and third paragraphs, mention the following items: 1. Further elaborate how the issue affects or has affected you. 2. Share your personal connection with the issue in question. (Remember to remain brief. A short letter can accomplish just as much as a long one.) In your last paragraph, discuss the following closing items: 1. Urge them to help restore access to obesity management services. 2. Request that the individual write you back, informing you on their position regarding the issue. 3. Thank the individual. Sincerely, Your Full Name