help

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This is a letter posted by a woman who is trying to get the Ohio legislature

to pass a bill that mandates that any insurance companies doing surgery in

Ohio must approve wls. She states in her letter that it can be shared with

other groups, so I am sharing it here. Those of you who are on DS_Maguire,

please do me a favor and post it there. I will also post it on DS_Ohio.

Please help if you can - she asks for letters from anyone in the country who

had the surgery. I have written to the state rep who is one of the sponsors

with a lot of information on the DS surgery and asked him to be sure that it

is included as an option of this type of surgery and that it not only be the

RNY.

Carole

Message: 1

Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 11:46:57 -0400

Subject: Begging.

I am resorting to begging. I have worked all this year to try to get a bill

introduced. I haven't asked for people to do anything but write letters and

send me information. Now I am asking for some action. People have told me

they are willing to help. Some have said that they would do anything to get

legislation passed that would mandate coverage of morbid obesity

legislation. Some have said they would testify or do something when asked.

Well I am asking a third time. I know this week is different than any other

week but it is crunch time for this bill. I have 5 people saying they will

try to get to Columbus. A total of six of us out of how many? That is

pitiful. A few have offered to write letters for me to take down -- they may

not live in Ohio but they have offered to show their support by letters. So

maybe 10 have responded. 10 out of of how many? That is ridiculous. For

those of you fighting for insurance to cover this, for those who have had

surgery, for those that want it, this bill is for everyone. Yes it is in the

state of Ohio but I am also working with people in other states. If this

bill does not passmany people will be denied surgery. So I am begging now.

If you can be in Columbus -- or want to be in Columbus Ohio on Tuesday

September 18th at 1030 am (show up early or late) at the StateHouse Senate

Annex Second Floor press room in a show of support for this legislation. If

you don't care enough to be bothered, then I don't know why I should be

bothered. If you don't care enough to write a letter in support of

legislation, I don't know why I should be bothered. Yes I am upset right

now> This week has been hell for all of us. I will admit that. I have

friends in both NY and DC (those in DC worked at the Pentagon). I am not

willing to give up the fight for this legislation though. But now I really

can't do it myself. I am going to be there. I have been making phone calls

all day long to different places (media, BTC and other places) announcing

this press conference. I have posted on the lists a few times. I am not

trying to bug you however I csan not make a show of support by myself. For

those who have said they will try to be there and to those who have sent me

letters (or will send me them by Sunday to take with me) I thank you. For

the rest of you, I really need to wonder. EVen if you do not live in Ohio,

write me a letter to take that expresses what this surgery has done for you.

Include your name and address. If you live in OHio and can come to the

Statehouse let me know that. If you can't come write me a letter to take

with me. Let your family and friends know and have them contact me with

questions. CALL YOUR SURGEONS OFFICE AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE PRESS

CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY. LET YOUR SUPPORT GROUP KNOW> ASK THEM TO COME TO

COLUMBUS. Send this information about the press conference on to any other

group you are that deals with WLS. Post it to the other WLS groups and on

obesityhelp.com. We need to make a stand. I have heard so many people say

that they have been ignored by insurance companies. This is a chance to make

your voice heard by JUST SHOWING UP! There is strength in numbers and if we

want this legislation to pass then we need that strength. So damnit, now is

the time for you to get involved to change your life and the lives of

others. I can not do it anymore by myself. Without others helping and doing

then this is going to fail. So plan on being in COlumbus Ohio or at least

sending me an email to take with me. And you that don't live in Ohio send me

an email of support to take with me. Okay? This is a chance to make a

change.

Rasley

mailto:drasley@...

BTC, Columbus, 10/7/98

Lost over 90% of excess and maintaining

Gained a beautiful daughter on 8/9/00