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CNN Live At Daybreak
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Aired October 16, 2003 - 05:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Celebrities like Al Roker, Roseanne Barr and Carnie Wilson have conquered obesity with gastric bypass surgery. It's an expensive procedure and many people who need it can't afford it. Oh, but that's changing, at least for some people in Louisiana.
Kris Osborn has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): According to a new study, there are an estimated four million severely opebese people in the United States and for many of them this operation would not be fully covered by health insurance. At an average fee of $15,000, it is often unaffordable. But the price of obesity is taking a toll on the workforce. A non-profit employer advocacy group estimates that obesity costs employers more than $12 billion annually.
Now, insurers in Louisiana think more widespread use of the surgery may help obese patients and save the state money. The Office of Group Benefits, a Louisiana state employee health plan, has begun a bold pilot program, offering more than 40 government workers a gastric bypass operation essentially for free. The program is available only to those who qualify. Generally, men must be more than 100 pounds and women at least 80 pounds overweight.
Already, it has the phones ringing off the hook.
KIP WALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GROUP BENEFITS: Many morbidly obese people suffer from co-morbidities, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. By reducing their weight, they can mitigate the effects of these diseases and sometimes eliminate the need for medication and complication in their -- other areas of their health. And so this is a win-win for them. Their health improves, our costs go down.
OSBORN: But major surgery carries risks. Just last week, a woman in Iowa died following gastric bypass surgery and there are potential post-operative problems, as well.
DR. MITCHELL ROSLIN, LENOX HILL, NEW YORK: Anybody who goes into a gastric bypass must understand they're putting themselves through an invasive procedure that carries risks. And it's going to change your eating behavior.
OSBORN: As for Louisiana's long-term plan to reduce medical costs, doctors say it may be many years before it is determined whether those receiving the surgery wind up with fewer health problems, thus saving insurance companies money.
Kris Osborn, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired October 16, 2003 - 05:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Celebrities like Al Roker, Roseanne Barr and Carnie Wilson have conquered obesity with gastric bypass surgery. It's an expensive procedure and many people who need it can't afford it. Oh, but that's changing, at least for some people in Louisiana.
Kris Osborn has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): According to a new study, there are an estimated four million severely opebese people in the United States and for many of them this operation would not be fully covered by health insurance. At an average fee of $15,000, it is often unaffordable. But the price of obesity is taking a toll on the workforce. A non-profit employer advocacy group estimates that obesity costs employers more than $12 billion annually.
Now, insurers in Louisiana think more widespread use of the surgery may help obese patients and save the state money. The Office of Group Benefits, a Louisiana state employee health plan, has begun a bold pilot program, offering more than 40 government workers a gastric bypass operation essentially for free. The program is available only to those who qualify. Generally, men must be more than 100 pounds and women at least 80 pounds overweight.
Already, it has the phones ringing off the hook.
KIP WALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GROUP BENEFITS: Many morbidly obese people suffer from co-morbidities, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. By reducing their weight, they can mitigate the effects of these diseases and sometimes eliminate the need for medication and complication in their -- other areas of their health. And so this is a win-win for them. Their health improves, our costs go down.
OSBORN: But major surgery carries risks. Just last week, a woman in Iowa died following gastric bypass surgery and there are potential post-operative problems, as well.
DR. MITCHELL ROSLIN, LENOX HILL, NEW YORK: Anybody who goes into a gastric bypass must understand they're putting themselves through an invasive procedure that carries risks. And it's going to change your eating behavior.
OSBORN: As for Louisiana's long-term plan to reduce medical costs, doctors say it may be many years before it is determined whether those receiving the surgery wind up with fewer health problems, thus saving insurance companies money.
Kris Osborn, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
