Mississippi To Pay For Gastric Baypass?

Senate revives a proposal that would use state health insurance to pay for gastric bypass surgery for up to 100 obese government workers a year. POLL

By: | WKRG-TV
Published: March 11, 2009

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi Senate on Wednesday
revived a bill for state-funded gastric bypass surgery, then passed
the bill and sent it to the governor.
The proposal authorizes the public employees' health insurance
plan to pay for gastric bypass surgery for up to 100 obese state
government workers a year.
Mississippi has the highest obesity rate in the nation.
The bill was defeated Tuesday, but Sen. Terry Burton held it for
more debate. He told lawmakers that the surgery costs about
$26,000. He said that compares to between $44,000 and $100,000
spent on heart procedures many obese state employees may have to
undergo.
The bill passed the House earlier.
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The bill is House Bill 1530.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)