BCABA Media Release – Condemns VIHA

The British Columbia Association of Bariatric Advocates condemns the Vancouver Island Health Authority cutbacks as being short sighted. The decision to cut bariatric surgery at a time when its access should be increased is neither sound health policy nor sound fiscal management.

Five percent of the total health budget goes to treating obesity-related illness. Despite the well-documented growing problem of obesity, despite the number of people suffering and dying (over 2000 a year in British Columbia), despite the staggering cost of obesity, it is one of the hardest medical problems to access treatment for. And it just got harder.

The recently announced cutbacks in surgery by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (the only regional health authority even offering obesity surgery) include a dramatic reduction in the number of gastric bypass surgeries to a dreadfully inadequate 52 procedures. Consequently, our province will face increased demand for funding to cover treatment of obesity-related illness (including type II diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea and some cancers).

Ontario, for example, recently announced $75 million in targeted funding to increase access to gastric bypass surgery from 244 last year to 1470 a year by 2011/2012. The reasoning for spending the $75 million is to save money. According to David Caplan, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, “Bariatric surgery will help offset the costs of treating … obesity-related conditions, while reducing ER visits and hospitalizations.”

In times where there is increasing demand for limited health care dollars, it makes good sense that the allocation of health dollars ought to be to “areas where the economic burden of illness is greatest” (CMA Journal, Feb., 1999). The high success rate of weight loss surgery and its ability to make such a dramatic improvement in patients’ health and lives demonstrates its value to the province.

The improvement to patients’ lives is immeasurable. The health care system saves millions of dollars as people return to a healthier lifestyle and reduce their need for medications and treatment for associated illnesses. The BCABA encourages VIHA to reconsider its restrictions to bariatric surgery, hopes other health authorities will finally make bariatric surgery available, and reminds them that their purpose is to be financially prudent in reducing the costs of medical treatment. And to improve people’s health.

The BCABA would be proud to present a list of contacts of those who have successfully experienced bariatric surgery and those who are on the long waiting list for surgery if interviews are desired.

Sincerely,
Kris Mitchell, President
Victoria, BC
president@bcaba.net
(250) 686-5735

Erin Madsen, Vice President
North Vancouver, BC
vicepresident@bcaba.net

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