OAC Newsroom

Tampa , FL – Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) President and CEO, Joseph Nadglowski, Jr., testified Wednesday before the Utah Health and Human Services Interim Committee on access to safe and effective obesity interventions. The hearing was co-chaired by Senator D. Chris Buttars and Representative Paul Ray. Mr. Nadglowski detailed the severity of obesity and demonstrated
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Tampa , FL – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is excited to announce the election of Jim Fivecoat as chairman of the OAC. Mr. Fivecoat is a weight-loss surgery patient and underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2003. Mr. Fivecoat brings knowledge of how the benefit process works with major employers and an immense passion to
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Tampa, FL – Today, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee eliminated their IQ testing requirement for those seeking weight-loss surgery. In recent weeks, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) has advocated for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to remove the IQ testing on the basis of it perpetuating the negative stigma associated with obesity and discriminating against those affected
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Tampa , FL –The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is calling on Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee to immediately cease its requirement for IQ testing for patients with severe obesity seeking access to weight-loss surgery. The OAC believes that Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee is the first insurer to require an IQ test to access any
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Tampa , FL – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is excited to announce the release of its “Understanding Obesity” series. The “Understanding Obesity” series is comprised of three brochures, titled “Understanding Obesity,” “Understanding Childhood Obesity” and “Understanding Morbid Obesity,” and two 18×24 full color posters. The brochures each separately provide an in-depth look at obesity,
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Tampa, FL – On July 25, 2006, Jim Fivecoat, an Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) National Board of Director, and his wife Karen were featured on NBC’s “Today Show” to discuss their successful bariatric surgeries. On the show, Jim and Karen shared their inspirational stories of their Roux-En-Y gastric bypass surgeries, which took place in early
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Tampa, FL – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is excited to announce the release of its newest educational brochure, titled “Understanding Obesity.” This free brochure, a first of its kind, offers readers an in-depth look and complete understanding of obesity and morbid obesity, who it affects, health risks, causes, treatment options and much more. “The
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Tampa , FL –The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is proud to celebrate its one-year anniversary as one of the leading patient-focused nonprofit obesity/morbid obesity organizations. Throughout the past year, the OAC accomplished tremendous strides in the obesity community. With the introduction of the OAC’s latest brochure, titled “Understanding Obesity,” the OAC continues to build an
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Tampa , FL – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is excited to announce its 2006 Advisory Board. The newly elected OAC Advisory Board Members are as follows: Randal Baker, MD; Laura Boyer, RN; Judith Brown Clarke, M.Ed; Dave Engstrom, PhD; Dory Ferraro, MS, CS, ANP; Gary J. Guidry, RN, MBA; Neil Hutcher, MD; Dawn Miller,
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Tampa , FL – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is excited to announce the release of its patient-focused guide, titled “Working with Your Insurance Provider: A Guide to Seeking Weight-Loss Surgery.” This free guide is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully work with their insurance provider and become an
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Tampa, FL – Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will expand its national coverage policy for obesity surgery. The new policy applies to all Medicare recipients including those more than 65 years old and Medicare disabled. The policy expands the surgery options to include open and laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic
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Tampa , FL – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is disappointed by the recent comments of an “American Idol” judge, which targeted a female with obesity competing on the popular television show. In the season five episode, which aired on January 17, 2006, “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell suggested the show use a bigger stage
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