Dr Amson – Sets Times Colonist Right

8 Comments

Posted by Ron Merk on October 18, 2009 at 8:35 pm

Dear Richard Watts,

The Times Colonist story on Saturday Oct 17^th, Weight –loss Surgeries Slashed, has some inaccurate budget information in it. The cost savings are no where near $700,000.00. The number of cases that are to be cut are 124-52= 72 cases. This is an astounding 58% reduction in weight-loss surgery when our VIHA budget deficit is 3% ( $45 million out of a $1.7 billion budget).

The actual cost of the surgery is only $3,000.00 per case for surgical supplies, and all medications that patients require for their 24hour to 48 hour hospital stay. The other costs such as nursing and other labour costs are fixed. There is no reduction to OR staffing as far as I am aware. Physician fees do not come out of the hospital budget. The fixed cost of having an OR and hospital are there even if the cases are not done. Thus the cost savings to VIHA to do 72 fewer weight loss surgery cases is actually 72 x $3000.00 = $216,000.00.

$216,000.00 savings is miniscule in the $1.7 billion VIHA budget, in fact it is .1% of the budget. No other surgical service in VIHA is being cut 58%. I ask you if the obese patients in BC are being discriminated, by not having access to lifesaving surgery that cures Type 2 Diabetes. Weight loss surgery is not elective surgery as it prolongs patients lives and saves lives. Patients that do not receive the surgery do die on the wait list. There are currently over 700 patients on the wait list for bariatric surgery. This is the longest wait list for surgery in VIHA. VIHA needs to reverse this decision, and find the money to do this surgery.

Sincerely,

Brad Amson M.D. Surgeon.

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8 Comments

On October 18, 2009 at 9:10 pm bbwvixen said

Way to go Dr Amson!!!

On October 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm lovsdolphins said

Thank you so much Dr. Amson for fighting for us that need this surgery.

On October 18, 2009 at 10:54 pm shelley adrian said

Thanks for speaking on all our behalf as we needed someone with a higher profile to speak the facts. This surgery saves lives and IS cost effective to the health services!!

I feel it is discrimination and ALL of us have a right as Canadians to services in our province and in our Country! All Canadians deserve treatment as per the Canadian Health Act.

Do we have to organize a class action suit of discrimination towards the government to be heard? Obesity is a social embarrassment! The public really needs to be educated in order for understanding and compassion to be expressed.

On October 18, 2009 at 11:03 pm canadian52eh said

Thank-you for speaking on our behalf Dr Amson! We needed someone with a higher profile to speak the facts. This surgery saves our lives and IS cost effective to the health system.

There is discrimination and do we need a class action suit against the government in order for us to be heard?

Obesity is a social ‘embarrassment’! We need to educate society in order for understanding and compassion to be expressed.

As Canadians we DESERVE medical care in OUR province and in OUR own Country as per the Canadian Health Act!

On October 19, 2009 at 8:05 am Tannis said

Thank you Dr. Amson. I agree 100%, it IS discrimination!! How much does it cost to surgically repair the damage to knees, hips and hearts after they have been ravaged by the effects of obesity? For many, obesity surgery is the only hope they have. I’m appaled that the government of this province refuses to prperly fund obesity surgery when obesity is clearly a DISEASE that causes so many other afflictions.
When will we EVER get with the program?

On October 21, 2009 at 4:29 am penny said

A surgeon who cares……
I dont want to go to the states….I want Dr Amson!
I was impressed with this man from day one!
How can we get a on line petition going….reaching as many sites
and people as possible?
Those that have had the surgery and those that are waiting…perhaps
if government sees the names and numbersm It may make a difference?
Your a great man Dr Amson……