Obesity Action Coalition

Thankful for Progress: A Milestone in Obesity Care! ?? Today, the Biden Administration proposed a groundbreaking regulation to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for obesity medications, making life-changing treatments accessible to millions! ?? Why This Matters: ?? More affordable obesity care for 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries and 4 million Medicaid recipients. ?? Recognition of obesity as a chronic disease requiring medical treatment. ?? A major step toward equitable healthcare access, with the potential to influence private insurance coverage nationwide. ?? A Huge Thanks to the OAC Community! OAC led 57 organizations and over 1,500 advocates in urging the administration to prioritize comprehensive obesity care. Together, we sent more than 5,500 letters to make our voices heard—and this new rule is a direct result of these efforts. This milestone is a testament to your #OACAction. Our voices are being heard. ?? The OAC urges the public to join us in thanking the Biden Administration for the new proposed rule. Take action today by clicking here https://lnkd.in/gNQ86G9j

GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment are a trending topic these days, but many individuals face challenges accessing these therapies due to supply shortages and high costs. As a result, some patients are turning to compounded GLP-1 medications as an alternative. Learn how the OAC is advocating for patient safety and improved access to care in response to this issue: https://bit.ly/3OqGsna #ObesityCare #AccessToCare

#MemberMonday Spotlight: John Simon III This week, we’re thrilled to celebrate John Simon III, an inspiring teen in our OAC Community. We first met John as part of our inaugural Empower Early Youth & Families Program, where teens and their parents or caregivers were invited to the Your Weight Matters National Convention. In a world where the challenges of adolescents affected by obesity are often overlooked, John’s story highlights the power of determination and the critical role of support. We are so glad John is a part of our OAC Community. Read John's story: https://lnkd.in/g6_9E487 Do you want to join the OAC in making an impact for adolescents like John? Consider making a donation at https://lnkd.in/ewvMRS4

In the News ????? The Idaho Post Register has featured an opinion piece by Denise Alvarado, an Idaho resident and dedicated OAC Advocate. Denise shares her powerful personal journey living with the chronic disease of obesity and reflects on how her life could have been transformed with earlier access to treatment options. “As I look back at my uphill battle against the disease, I encourage Sen. Crapo and his colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to advance the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and increase access to tools for the prevention and treatment of obesity for Medicare patients across the country.” Denise’s story is a heartfelt call to action for leaders in Washington to pass the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) and expand Medicare coverage to include obesity treatments. Read her full opinion piece: https://bit.ly/3Zk86IE Join in on our efforts to advocate for access to obesity care: https://lnkd.in/gzkJm3X

The link between obesity and cancer is clear. While not everyone with excess weight will necessarily develop cancer, their risk is higher. Today, on World Pancreatic Cancer Day, we’re sharing this article, Body Weight and Cancer: What You Need to Know, by Sarah Ro, MD, and Young Whang, MD, PhD, from OAC’s Weight Matters Magazine. https://lnkd.in/gFEiX2Ri #WPCD #PancreaticCancerAwareness

Hot of the presses! The New York Times published a ?? letter to the editor, authored by OAC's President and CEO, Joe Nadglowski calling on federal legislators to pass a version of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (#TROA). OAC is urging Congress to expand access to safe, effective obesity treatments. The letter reads, in part, “The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (H.R. 4818/S. 2407) would empower Medicare to cover F.D.A.-approved obesity medications and increase access to health care providers for intensive behavioral therapy. Passing a form of this legislation will improve access to safe, effective and lifesaving treatments for obesity.” It's time to act before the end of the year! Older Americans deserve access to the tools they need for the prevention and treatment of #obesity. ?? ?? Read the full letter: https://bit.ly/4hRuXTc Thank you Joe and the OAC for your continued advocacy for access to obesity care. Visit the OAC Action Center to have your voice heard too https://lnkd.in/gzkJm3X #OACAction

Stay connected with the latest OAC news, resources, and updates! ?? Follow us on all our social channels to stay in the know: Facebook: @ObesityAction Twitter: @ObesityAction Instagram: @ObesityAction LinkedIn: Obesity Action Coalition YouTube: Obesity Action Coalition And don't miss out on our blog posts for more in-depth articles and insights ?? obesityaction.org Stay informed and take action with OAC!

?? New actions are added to the OAC Action Center all the time! Join the movement to take #OACAction on important issues like Access to Obesity Care, Weight Bias and more. Make your voice heard with just a few clicks. OAC Action Center: https://lnkd.in/gzkJm3X Visit the OAC Action Center today and see the many ways you can help advocate for change.

This week, the Alliance for Aging Research and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP released a new report, “CMS Has the Legal Authority to Cover Anti-Obesity Medications (and Should): A Legal, Regulatory and Policy Assessment.” The report states that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has the legal authority to cover obesity medications under Medicare Part D but has chosen not to do so, relying on an outdated interpretation of the Social Security Act. CMS must make changes! Find out more information: https://lnkd.in/gib7aVzk

A dual presentation by Christine Gallagher of the STOP Obesity Alliance and Tracy Zvenyach of the Obesity Action Coalition at #ObesityWeek2024 in San Antonio, Texas last week highlighted that coverage barriers are keeping essential obesity treatments treatments out of reach for many who need them most, especially impacting those with cardiovascular disease and Black and Hispanic communities. The Obesity Action Coalition is actively working to address these disparities, advocating for comprehensive and equitable access to obesity care. Read more in this article: https://lnkd.in/gPwupkZb