Dear Patients, Healthcare team, and advocates:

Last evening, February 8, 2023, we were informed of the creation of Senate Bill (SB) 976 which is a large Connecticut Assembly bill including a mandate for insurance coverage of many procedures and medications. Included in this bill is the coverage of bariatric surgery and obesity medication by private insurance companies.

There will be a live hearing for this bill at the Hartford State Capitol Building on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. Anyone is able to attend this hearing, including patients, family, friends, healthcare providers, support staff members, and anyone who cares for someone with obesity. We encourage everyone who is available to attend the hearing, whether in-person or via Zoom.

We are hopeful that live testimony, as well as written testimony, can be provided. No letter or message is too small or large. The more support the better!

We encourage patients whose lives have been changed by these treatments to share their stories. You inspire us every day with your work and dedication to better health.

The link to reserve time to provide live testimony or submit written testimony is below. Please indicate SB 976 in the scroll down:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/aspx/CGATestimonySub/CGAtestimonysubmission.aspx?comm_code=ins

Time is short! We may only have the opportunity to submit written testimony until Friday, February 10, 2023, or Monday, February 13, 2023!

We need your help to increase access to care for obesity medications and bariatric surgery. We hope someday all patients with private insurance will have coverage for these life-changing and lifesaving treatments.

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,
Neil Floch, MD, FACS
STAR Representative
CT Chapter of the ASMBS
Director of Bariatric Surgery, Norwalk Hospital, Nuvance Health