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

Georgia law states under its “Morbid Obesity Anti-discrimination Act” (Georgia General Assembly Code 33-24-59.7) that health insurers may offer coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity. The mandate (which like all mandates, does not apply to companies that are self-insured – ie. most large companies) does not require that the treatment of morbid obesity be offered. It only states that it may be offered. Unfortunately, most employers (including the State of Georgia) and insurers do not offer the coverage of the treatment of morbid obesity. The OAC would like to see Georgia law revised to state that health insurers shall offer coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity to guarantee access to those affected by the disease of obesity.

Call to Action

The OAC requests that you educate your state legislators as well as the other key state officials, listed below, about the need to revise Georgia’s “Morbid Obesity Anti-discrimination Act” to guarantee insurance coverage of the medical expenses associated with the treatment of morbid obesity. This issue is very important. Everyday, we read about the impact that 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 Georgia.

What Can You Do to Advocate?

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 visiting the OAC Web site at www.obesityaction.org.

• 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.

Who Should I Send My Letters to?

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

Governor Sonny Purdue
Georgia State Capitol
Atlanta , GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-1776
e-mail via web form: http://www.gov.state.ga.us/contact_dom.shtml

John W. Oxendine
Georgia Insurance And Safety Fire Commissioner
Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Suite 704
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-2070
e-mail: Executive@mail.oci.state.ga.us

Rhonda Medows, MD (effective Dec. 1, 2005)
Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner
2 Peachtree Street
Atlanta , GA 30303
Telephone: (404) 656-4507
e-mail via web-form: http://dch.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,31446711_31784421,00.html

Senator Ralph T. Hudgens
Chairman, Senate Insurance and Labor Committee
110 State Capitol
Atlanta , GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-4700
e-mail: ralph@ralphhudgens.com

Senator Don R. Thomas
Chairman, Senate Health & Human Services Committee
121 D State Capitol
Atlanta , GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-6436
e-mail: dthomas@legis.state.ga.us

Representative Tom Knox
Chairman, House Insurance Committee
Room 220 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-6831
e-mail: tknox@legis.state.ga.us

Representative Sharon Cooper
Chairman, House Health & Human Services Committee
Room 415 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 463-8142
e-mail: scooper@legis.state.ga.us

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

• If you are a post-bariatric surgery patient, 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 received or are planning your surgery under Georgia’s state employee benefits program, please include this information.

• If you are seeking weight-loss surgery, explain your personal preparation for surgery, what health complications you are currently experiencing, how they affect your quality of life and the burden placed on you by lack of insurance coverage.

• If you are a family member or friend of a weight-loss surgery 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 Georgia based-insurers deny access to weight-loss surgery and obesity management services.

• More than 2 million residents of Georgia are considered obese.

• More than 400,000 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.

• $2.133 billion was spent in the obesity-related illnesses in Georgia.

• 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.

• 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 “Morbid Obesity Anti-discrimination Act” and the need for it to be strengthened to require access to weight-loss surgery and obesity management services.

• Remember you are educating, 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.

• Try not to be longwinded.

• Avoid a righteous tone or suggesting you are an expert.

• Avoid abbreviations.

• Refrain from apologizing for writing or taking valuable time.

• Do not threaten anyone.

• Do not stray from the issue – stick to the facts.

• Do not demand anything or give ultimatums..

• 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 patient’s access to bariatric (weight-loss) surgery and obesity management services in the state of Georgia. Ask the elected or appointed official to propose revising Georgia’s “Morbid Obesity Anti-discrimination Act” from stating that services for obesity may be offered to that they shall be offered. 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 weight-loss surgery. 2. Request that the individual respond to you in writing to include their position regarding the issue. 3. Thank the individual. Sincerely, Your Full Name