First Anniversary of Obesity Bill of Rights Culminates in a Call to Action
2 min read
One year after launching the Obesity Bill of Rights (OBOR) at the National Press Club, supporters have come together to deliver a message to Medicare with a call to action urging coverage of the full range of treatments, including obesity medications.
A group of organizations—the OBOR Coalition—fighting to improve access to comprehensive obesity care have worked tirelessly throughout the year to advocate for better tools to address obesity. Those proven tools include including nutrition, physical activity, intensive behavior therapy, and medical management options such as bariatric surgery and (FDA)-approved obesity medications.
Due to outdated rules, Medicare does not cover obesity medicine despite a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of these medications. The research demonstrates significant improvements not only in terms of weight loss, but for chronic disease outcomes such as diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease.
Why Medicare coverage matters
In a breakthrough development, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced on Dec. 10, 2024, that it was considering the coverage of obesity medications under Medicare Part D and opened a public comment period The OBOR Coalition mobilized by submitting a comment letter on Jan. 27, 2024—just days ahead of the OBOR first anniversary.
As pointed out in the letter, "Obesity has incredibly adverse impacts on overall health and exacerbates other diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, osteoarthritis, and several cancers."
The letter also highlights the impact of obesity:
- Adult obesity rates have more than doubled to over 40% of Americans
- Each year in the U.S., excess weight causes over 500,000 deaths
- Obesity and related chronic illnesses led to more than $480 billion in direct health care costs and $1.24 trillion in indirect work-related costs due to absenteeism and disability from 2010-2017
"It is time for Medicare Part D to align with the broader healthcare market," the letter says. "This action would improve the health of individuals before they enter the Medicare program, thereby supporting better health and reducing long-term costs."
Photo of NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin speaking at the 2024 Obesity Bill of Rights launch
Your Right to Quality Obesity Care
Obesity is the most prevalent and costly chronic disease in the United States, remaining largely undiagnosed and untreated a decade after the American Medical Association classified it as a serious disease requiring comprehensive care.
