A Patient’s Guide to Advocating for Improved Access to Weight-Loss Surgery and Obesity Management Services in Florida
(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 Florida

In January 2005, Florida-based insurers, led by Blue/Cross Blue Shield of Florida, began a disturbing trend by eliminating insurance coverage for obesity management services including bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery). The OAC believes that this decision negatively impacts the quality of health and life of Floridians by denying them access to needed medical care.  Obesity is a complex disease that requires treatment. The medical treatment of obesity 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 Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the other Florida-based insurers that endangers the long-term health of many Floridians. 

Call to Action

The OAC requests that you educate your state legislators, key state officials, health plan medical director and employer (through your benefits manager, human resources department and/or union representation) 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 Florida.

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, call the OAC National Office at (800) 717-3117 for additional copies or you may download an electronic version to send via e-mail by clicking on the PDF link at the top of this page.

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

• Let your employer and insurance plan know about the need for bariatric surgery and obesity management coverage by contacting your benefits manager, human resources department, union representation and/or health plan medical director.

• 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 Florida officials and legislators. Officials with an * should be targeted by those seeking to improve access for state employees. In addition, we encourage you to contact your district legislators. To find your local legislators, visit www.obesityaction.org

Governor Charlie Crist
Office of the Governor
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Phone: (850) 488-7146
Fax: (850) 487-0801
Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com

Secretary Ana M. Viamonte Ros M.D., MPH
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # A00
Tallahassee, FL  32399-1701
Phone:  (850) 245-4321
Fax: 850-922-9453
secretary@doh.state.fl.us

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink
Florida Department of Financial Services
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0300
Phone: (850) 413-3100
cfo@fldfs.com

Senator Bill Posey
Chairman, Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
Senate Office Building Room 420
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
Phone: (850) 487-5053
posey.bill.web@ flsenate.gov

Senator M. Mandy Dawson
Chairperson, Senate Health Policy Committee
Senate Office Building Room 410
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
Phone: (850) 487-5112
dawson.mandy.web@flsenate.gov

Representative Donald D. Brown 
Chairman, House Committee on Insurance
313 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-4726
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.
aspx?MemberId=4188&SessionId=54

Representative Aaron P. Bean
Chairman, Healthcare Council
200 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-6920
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.
aspx?MemberId=4192&SessionId=54

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 Florida 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 Florida 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 Florida insurers, including the state employee program, deny access to weight-loss surgery and obesity management services.

• 3.4 million Floridians are considered obese.

• 850,000 Floridians are morbidly obese.

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

• 20 percent of the Florida population (who are obese) accounted for $3.9 billion in medical costs related to their obesity.

• 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 Florida.

• 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. If writing specifically about state-employee program, mention it here. 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 improve 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