Supreme Court Favors Obese Woman In Medicaid Case

The Idaho Supreme Court has struck down a state regulation denying Medicaid coverage for all medical procedures for the treatment of obesity.

The court on Tuesday ruled unanimously in favor of Sheila McCoy, who asked for Medicaid payment for gastric bypass surgery.

Court records said the eastern Idaho woman has suffered from obesity since the age of 12. She is disabled by various medical ailments and receives aid under the Supplemental Security Income program.

Doctors testified gastric bypass surgery was a “medical necessity” to treat her congestive heart failure, hypertension, sleep apnea and severe joint problems.

But the state has a regulation excluding coverage for all medical procedures for the treatment of obesity.

Based on that, a hearing officer uled against paying for the treatment and 6th District Judge William Woodland agreed.

In a decision written by Justice Linda Copple Trout, the Supreme Court ruled that regulation is too broad, because it might block the only treatment available for a condition that qualifies for aid.