1. Presidential Messages

Teresa LaMasters, MD FACS FASMBS DABOM and Paul Davidson, PhD deliver the monthly Presidential Video Message. Hear about the current state of the Society and upcoming events. 

ASMBS Presidential Message ASMBS Weekend 2022 – Registration is Open! ASMBS START Program – Apply Today! National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month ASMBS Integrated Health Presidential Message Visit the NEW! CBN Facebook Page 2. Education & Events September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! ASMBS/IFSO Indications…

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Obesity in children continues to be a major health problem, but there has been progress.  In the last decade surgery for severe obesity in children has become accepted as a standard of care.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has revised its guidelines from surgery being “considered” in 2012 to “accepted treatment” in 2019. ASMBS has endorsed these evidence-based best practices. ¹

Who will provide metabolic and bariatric surgical care for children?  Lewit…

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) becomes 21st Senate TROA Cosponsor!

During July, Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) became the 21st Senate cosponsor of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) bringing the total House and Senate cosponsors to 168! OCAN members will continue to meet with members of Congress during the August recess in hopes of getting TROA added to any end-of-year must-pass legislative packages. Also stay tuned for more…

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1. Presidential Messages

Teresa LaMasters, MD FACS FASMBS DABOM and Nate Sann, MSN FNP-BC deliver their monthly Presidential Video Message. Hear about the current state of the Society and upcoming events. 

ASMBS Presidential Message ASMBS Weekend 2022 – Registration Opening Soon! Literature review on anti-obesity medication use for metabolic and bariatric surgery patients from the ASMBS clinical issues committee ASMBS Integrated Health Presidential Message Weekend Conference topic/speaker suggestions July 2022 SOARD Journal Club Recording IH…

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

Support for TROA Continues to Grow

At the time of this report, the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act had reached 167 total House and Senate cosponsors with the addition of Representatives Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). OCAN members continue to meet with members of Congress and are hopeful that more legislators will cosponsor TROA — especially in the wake of recent guidance from the Federal Office…

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In this issue: Introduction of the 2022 – 2023 ASMBS President, Dr. Teresa LaMasters, ASMBS 2022 Annual Meeting OnDemand, ASMBS Track at IFSO Miami, IH Mentorship Survey, New! Insurance Coding Toolkit, 2011-2020 Estimate of Bariatric Survey Numbers, and July’s OCC Advocacy Report

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In this issue: Welcome to ASMBS 2022 Annual Meeting – Meeting App Download Information, Schedule Highlights, and other Important Meeting Information.

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

TROA Reaches 160 Total Supporters

At the time of this report, the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act had reached 160 total congressional supporters with 18 Senators and 140 House Members cosponsoring the legislation that has been introduced by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and Representative Ron Kind (D-WI). OCAN members continue to meet with members of Congress and are hopeful that more legislators will cosponsor TROA — especially in…

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In this issue: LEAD Award Announcement, Countdown to ASMBS Annual Meeting – Registration and Hotel Information, Patient Seminar Presentation, ASMBS Elections, and Bariatric Nursing Practice Analysis Survey 2022.

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

OPM Issues Guidance Supporting FEHB Program Coverage of Obesity Care

In a February 17, 2022 carrier letter and a subsequent March 16, 2022 technical guidance letter , the Federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) spelled out specific guidance for health insurance carriers that administer Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) plans — "clarifying that FEHB Carriers are not allowed to exclude anti-obesity medications from coverage based on a benefit…

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