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Subject SC to pay for obese workers weight loss surgeries...WTF???

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[quote:refugee13:MV8xMTYwNTg1XzJGQjFCMTlG]
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Published: Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 / Updated: Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010 11:49 PM
S.C. to cover obesity surgery for 100 workers
By Yvonne Wenger - ywenger@postandcourier.com
COLUMBIA -- 
South Carolina lawmakers chose paying for weight-loss surgery for obese state workers at $24,000 a pop over putting teachers in the classroom, one state senator said Thursday.
Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said special interest groups won a victory over taxpayers when the Legislature decided to put $2.4 million toward gastric bypass and Lap-Band surgery for 100 of the state's heaviest employees, under a state health plan pilot program that begins Jan. 1.
"I think that with folks being furloughed or losing their jobs that it's the wrong message to send," said state Rep. Mike Sottile, R-Isle of Palms.
But Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said obese state workers are destined for massive health problems, and finding ways cut health costs is a good idea.
"If it will save us money and save their lives," he said, "then together, it's a good investment."
Meanwhile, T. Karl Byrne, a surgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina, said gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band surgery, among other stomach-shrinking procedures, already are proved to be cost-effective investments. North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia are among the majority of Southeastern states that cover the procedure for state workers, he said.
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Published: Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 / Updated: Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010 11:49 PM
S.C. to cover obesity surgery for 100 workers
By Yvonne Wenger - [email protected]
COLUMBIA --
South Carolina lawmakers chose paying for weight-loss surgery for obese state workers at $24,000 a pop over putting teachers in the classroom, one state senator said Thursday.
Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said special interest groups won a victory over taxpayers when the Legislature decided to put $2.4 million toward gastric bypass and Lap-Band surgery for 100 of the state's heaviest employees, under a state health plan pilot program that begins Jan. 1.
"I think that with folks being furloughed or losing their jobs that it's the wrong message to send," said state Rep. Mike Sottile, R-Isle of Palms.
But Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said obese state workers are destined for massive health problems, and finding ways cut health costs is a good idea.
"If it will save us money and save their lives," he said, "then together, it's a good investment."
Meanwhile, T. Karl Byrne, a surgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina, said gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band surgery, among other stomach-shrinking procedures, already are proved to be cost-effective investments. North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia are among the majority of Southeastern states that cover the procedure for state workers, he said.

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