Born2lbfat

My life with Lipedema & Lymphedema...destined to be fat.

Hometown Advocacy: Coffee with Congressman Wenstrup

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Rep. Brad Wenstrup

Rep. Brad Wenstrup

Fresh off my return from #YWM2013 in Phoenix, AZ and my second year of advocacy training, I had the opportunity to put my skills to work at a local event held by my US Representative, Brad Wenstrup. On August 27th, Rep Wenstrup hosted a “Coffee with Your Congressman” event here in Portsmouth. I have previously communicated with Wenstrup’s staff members about HR 2415 – Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and The Lymphedema Treatment Act, but I know it’s a very special honor to be able to speak directly with my congressman. Rep. Wenstrup is a Podiatrist and was very aware and knowledgeable of lymphedema, and of course obesity is a major health issue for our area.

Again, I want to thank Rep, Wenstrup and his staff for the outreach into our community!

You can be an advocate without leaving home! Check out the links below learn more about the bills and to contact your representatives and ask them to support these two very important pieces of legislation.

Join me and visit the OAC’s Legislative Action Center to urge Congress to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013.

Join me and visit the Lymphedema Treatment Act Legislative Action Center to urge Congress to support the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

Featured on ObesityHelp

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I am honored to be today’s featured article on ObesityHelp.com – Advocate: A Decade in the Making. I have been a member of ObesityHelp since 2003 and have attended 7 of their events. October 4th & 5th I will attending the ObesityHelp 2013 National Conference in Anaheim, CA.

ObesityHelp asked me to share my experience and struggle with Lymphedema and Lipedema. Including fighting for insurance coverage of needed treatments. Both conditions affect individuals struggling with obesity, including those seeking weight loss surgery. Many like myself, are not aware they have Lipedema until after having weight loss surgery and noticing that despite massive weight loss their legs are still abnormally large.

Two Bills, One Story

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capitalA journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Chinese proverb

My journey began many years ago, the steps have been difficult at times but I kept moving forward. Now is the time to put the past decade of personal struggle into action in order to help others.

Currently there are two bills before Congress, or in the process or being introduced, to which I fully support and want to see passed into law.

H.R. 2415 Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013 – On June 19, 2013, Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013. This legislation will provide Medicare recipients and their health care providers with meaningful tools to treat and reduce obesity by improving access to obesity screening and counseling services, and new prescription drugs for chronic weight management.

Lymphedema Treatment Act – The Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Saving Act will improve coverage for the treatment of lymphedema, thereby reducing health care costs while improving patient care and quality of life for millions of Americans with lymphedema.

Step 1: I have shared my personal story via Obesity Action Coalition and Lymphedema Treatment Act.

Step 2: I have contacted my Congressman, and Senators regarding both pieces of legislation. A few weeks ago I received a phone call from Rep. Wenstrup’s office in Washington, D.C. in response.

Step 3: This week my U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup’s staff will be hosting a Traveling Help Desk in my area. I plan on attending to share my story in support of BOTH bills.

The power is in us to initiate change….please join me on the journey!

meindc

I Support The Lymphedema Treatment Act

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In 2010 I shared My Story in support of The Lymphedema Treatment Act. The bill did not make it through the congressional process at that time and must be re-introduced. I am committed to using my newly acquired advocacy skills to help make this act a LAW.

WHY THIS LEGISLATION IS NEEDED:

  • Lymphedema is a non-curable but treatable medical condition that results in an accumulation of lymph fluid swelling in parts of the body where lymphatic vessels and/or lymph nodes are damaged, nonfunctional or inadequate. Lymphedema affects an estimated 5-6 million Americans, with the majority of cases caused by cancer treatment.
  • Untreated, or under-treated, lymphedema is progressive and leads to increased morbidity. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the gold standard and only known course of treatment for lymphedema. CDT is a multi-modal treatment that is only effective when used in its entirety.
  • Medicare currently covers all but the most critical component, the medically necessary compression supplies used daily in lymphedema treatment, citing they do not fit under any existing benefit category. As a result, many patients suffer from recurrent infections, progressive degradation in their condition and eventual disability because they cannot afford the compression supplies required to maintain their condition.

WHAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL DO:

Although this legislation relates specifically to a change in Medicare law, it would set a precedent for Medicaid and private insurers to follow.

Specific goals of the Act are:

  • Provide comprehensive lymphedema treatment coverage, according to current medical treatment standards;
  • Enable patient self-treatment plan adherence by providing necessary medical supplies for use at home, as prescribed for each patient (including gradient compression garments, bandages, and other compression devices);
  • Allow for new treatment modalities to be considered for coverage as they become available and are approved;
  • Reduce the total healthcare costs associated with this disease by decreasing the incidence of complications, co-morbidities and disabilities resulting from this medical condition.

In case you need a refresher on how the process works:

A quick one-page reference on the Lymphedema Treatment Act. To get involved visit: http://lymphedematreatmentact.org/