The road to health is a battle hard fought: Support for requiring coverage of bariatric surgery for an expanded group of qualified individuals

摘要

At five feet 11 inches tall, Terry Johnson weighs 260 pounds. He has "diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure." His insurer has repeatedly denied his requests for bariatric surgery, and it is far too expensive for him to afford it without assistance. Mr. Johnson's weight prevents him from sleeping well, and his wife is constantly alert to "shake him in case he stops breathing." Mr. Johnson's lack of sleep due to obesity "has made him prone to sinus infections, colds, bronchitis, and voice loss."