A proposed bill PB317 has been written by CT State Senator Eric Berthel which proposes to require insurance companies to cover bariatric surgery benefits. Despite coverage by Medicaid and Medicare in our state, the majority of private insurance plans do not offer bariatric surgery as a benefit. When the ACS was passed by Obama, the essential benefit in Connecticut was based on the current coverage by our biggest HMO: Connecticare. As a result Obamacare has NOT covered bariatric surgery. Most insurers do not and have not been forced to offer the benefit. Many of our patients have switched to Medicaid for coverage despite having good jobs. This has caused a burden to taxpayers. State employees also have bariatric surgery coverage. Darren Tishler spoke to Brad and Paul about it

Gary chatted with journalist Chris Powell about some of the issues facing the state of CT, including a number of journalists who are leaving media to work in government. The State Rep Mitch Bolinsky joined the program to discuss his work on the aging committee and a Democratic effort to stop crisis drills, Frank Tavera from the Palace Theater updated us on  shows coming to CT.. and finally, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz called in to discuss her Social Connections efforts to eradicate mental health in CT, and also talked about jobs, crime and other issues CT is dealing with.

The issue of bonding and how Connecticut will pay for everything is a hot topic, and Chris Davis joined Gary on the air to talk about it.