Currently, PA state employees who have a BMI over 40 and type 2 diabetes are able to have bariatric surgery covered by their insurance. The Pa House of Representatives have upgraded medical. They don’t pay anything for bariatric surgery. How is that fair? We are all state employees.
     I have a BMI of 50, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, anxiety depression and I need a knee replacement. I cannot get the knee replacement until I lose weight. I am barely able to walk. I can no longer do the things I used to do. My quality of life is deteriorating quickly. I stop breathing 27 times per hour in my sleep. This is very scary. Due to the shortage of cpap machines I am on a waiting list. I am afraid to sleep. I live in constant pain. I am only 53 years old and due to the pain, I feel 100 years old. I have to get procedures on my back every 3-6 months due to the arthritis in my spine. Without the procedure, I am almost bound to a wheelchair. I can’t enjoy going out to dinner, family events or activities with my grandchildren.
   My medical Dr, pulmonologist, pain management, and my orthopedic surgeon considers bariatric surgery medically necessary for me. The PEBTF’s decision to restrict coverage to a BMI of 40 and  type 2 diabetes is discriminatory and unfair! There are many people without diabetes who deserve a chance to increase their quality of life and live. Providing coverage to the very small population was a start.  However, there are many people with very serious, debilitating, life threatening conditions who need bariatric surgery as well.
    Osteoarthritis is very painful, it is horrible to live in pain everyday. Pain has caused people to commit suicide.  We need a change in the health care system to include and care about other people who suffer from other life threatening conditions that require bariatric surgery besides diabetes.
   I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home recently as a result of the pandemic, otherwise I’m afraid I would have to retire early on disability. We all want, need and deserve the opportunity to improve our quality of life.