If you read this blog I'm guessing you or someone you love is affected by obesity. The Obesity Action Coalition is asking for our help in championing for them, for us. Please urge your legislators to sign the Towns letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Obesity Action Coalition has drafted a sample letter and a way to do this with just a few clicks.
United States Representative Ed Towns (D-NY) has asked his colleagues in the House of Representatives to join him in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urging her to "better standardize access to obesity treatment services through HHS establishing a comprehensive definition of "preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management" services within the essential health benefits package under the new health care reform law to include the full continuum of medically necessary interventions, including behavioral, nutritional, pharmaceutical, psychosocial and surgical, to treat those affected by obesity."
So much is said in the news about prevention of obesity which is awesome and needed but rarely is treatment of obesity mentioned even though 34% of Americans are currently obese and 1 out of every 8 deaths in America is caused by an illness directly related to obesity. This could help change those numbers and ensure live saving treatments for those we love. Please use this link to send a letter in support.
