Saturday, August 24, 2013

Obesity kills more Americans than previously thought: One in five Americans, Black and White, die from obesity

Obesity kills more Americans than previously thought: One in five Americans, Black and White, die from obesity

If you had any doubt whether or not to take action, this is your wakeup.

Got to meet Governor Steve Bullock two weeks ago, and ask him to help Montana cover obesity care with its Medicaid plans.  We used to cover, then stopped.  Now only 2 other states are in the same boat - Mississippi and New Mexico.  Will Montana be the LAST state in the nation to have discrimination in its laws for the health of its poorest citizens?

Also got to meet Senators Baucus and Tester - very much hoping they and their staff will persuade HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to make sure all state baseline "EHB" plans require coverage of this disease.  Seriously - one in five deaths?  How can this be ignored, other than through discrimination?  I am not calling these fine public servants discriminatory, but when they allow a vocal ignorant few to keep them from SAVING LIVES, the effect is the same.  Citizens are begging for effective care, and we can provide it - but policies make a real difference.

Thanks so much to all our public servants, and especially to Commissioner Monica Lindeen and her staff for a receptive ear.

Bonuslife !