NH governor mulling bariatric surgery

By Norma Love, Associated Press Writer  |  June 29, 2008

CONCORD, N.H. --In the next week or so, Gov. John Lynch will sign bills capping the interest rate on payday loans, imposing a new tax on charity poker games and stiffening penalties for child pornography.

He's been clear about his support for those issues. He's also said he'll support more money for a handful of struggling charter schools, a 25-cent per pack increase in the cigarette tax, extra aid to help 12 towns offer kindergarten, a two-year boat speed limit on Lake Winnipesaukee and major reforms to the state pension system.

He's been less clear on whether he'll veto a union-backed bill on contract negotiations and one mandating insurance coverage for bariatric surgery as an option in certain obesity cases.

Lynch is slowly getting those and other remaining bills from the 2008 legislative session. So far, he has not vetoed any bills, but the union and obesity measures are getting extra scrutiny.

One measure requires health insurers to offer bariatric surgery as an option. Patients must pass a number of medical and psychological hurdles first. Not surprisingly, health insurers oppose the measure sponsored by state Sen. Bob Clegg, who lost over 100 pounds after having bariatric surgery at his own expense. They argue the mandate could result in higher premiums. Supporters claim the procedure can cure diabetes and other ailments that cost insurers more over time.


More at Boston.com