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Access & Policy Issues
Our community is made up of individuals that believe no matter your weight, size, or economic status, you should have access to science-based treatment and comprehensive care for obesity. The OAC works to help influence government policies, that range from approving treatment options, to improving funding for research. Government policies have such an immense effect on the society we live in. Take action to improve access to care and influence decision makers and the policies they enact!
Urge Congress to Pass the Treat & Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)!
HERE’S THE ISSUE: OAC continues its fight to expand coverage of obesity treatments under Medicare. In previous Congressional sessions, we supported the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, and this year the fight continues! OAC is working hard to ensure that we treat obesity in the same way that we treat other chronic diseases, allowing people with obesity the access to quality care they need without significant barriers.
YOUR ASK: Help us by urging your Federal Representatives to acknowledge obesity for the chronic disease that it is and prioritize obesity care by taking steps to expand access to treatment.
Help Make Obesity Treatments Accessible and Affordable!
HERE’S THE ISSUE: The OAC continues the fight to expand access to obesity treatments, and we’re holding decision-makers accountable for their roles in this broken system. While we’ve made significant progress, many treatments are still out of reach due to outdated health policies that are rooted in weight bias. We believe obesity care should be affordable and accessible for everyone. Help us call on lawmakers, health insurance companies and health plan administrators to make obesity treatments a standard benefit; drug manufacturers to lower prices; and pharmacy benefit managers to maximize discounts for patients.
YOUR ASK: Sign the letter of support urging key decision-makers to make obesity medications and treatments affordable and accessible.
Virginia: Urge Your State Decision Makers to Remove Barriers to Obesity Care
HERE’S THE ISSUE: Earlier this year, Virginial lawmakers passed a budget that included restrictions on Medicaid coverage for obesity medications based on BMI, which is contrary to clinical guidelines. The implementation of these coverage limitations has created additional barriers to accessing obesity treatments.
YOUR ASK: If you live in Virginia, please send a letter to your state representatives urging them to remove BMI restrictions for obesity treatments from the budget.
ALL STATES: Urge Your State Legislators to Expand Access to Care and #StopWeightBias!
HERE’S THE ISSUE: Access to obesity treatments are too often based on your individual health insurance plan or zip code, and only one state has a law banning weight-based discrimination. It’s time to prioritize obesity care in your state!
YOUR ASK: Help us create a better world for people living with obesity by contacting your state representatives today!
North Carolina: Urge Lawmakers to Expand Access to Obesity Treatments
HERE’S THE ISSUE: 34% of North Carolina residents are affected by obesity, and another 35% by overweight, but access to obesity treatments is often dependent on your employer or zip code. Help OAC in its effort to expand access to safe and effective obesity treatments in North Carolina for state employees. It’s a quick but powerful way to let key decision-makers know that obesity should be treated the same as other chronic diseases.
YOUR ASK: If you live in North Carolina, please sign our letter of support for expanding access to obesity treatments. OAC will be reaching out to key decision-makers from the State Employee Health Plan, obesity drug manufacturers, and pharmacy benefit managers in the coming months and we need voices of support for change. Expanding access to obesity treatments will require each of these three groups to compromise and work in the best interest of patients.
California: Urge Lawmakers to Expand Access to Obesity Treatments
HERE’S THE ISSUE: Over 28% of California residents are affected by obesity and another 34% by overweight, but access to obesity treatments is often dependent on your employer or zip code. Help expand access to safe and effective obesity treatments in California today using OAC’s online advocacy tool. It’s quick and easy, and a customizable letter to your representative has already been created for you!
YOUR ASK: If you live in California, please send a letter to key lawmakers urging them to support SB 1008 which will expand options for the treatment of obesity.
West Virginia DROPS COVERAGE for obesity Medications for State Employees
HERE’S THE ISSUE: The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency has discontinued coverage of GLP-1 obesity medications for state employees. West Virginia ranks FIRST in the nation of states impacted by obesity, with over 41% of our residents affected by obesity and another 33% by overweight. This decision ties the hands of patients and healthcare providers to make the best decisions for their personal journey toward improved health by excluding highly effective and safe treatment options.
YOUR ASK: Urge West Virginia decision makers to reverse their decision to drop coverage of obesity medications for state employees.
Colorado: Urge Your State Decision Makers to Expand Access to Obesity Care
HERE’S THE ISSUE: Over 25% of Colorado residents are affected by obesity and another 35% by overweight, but access to obesity treatments is often dependent on your employer or zip code. Now is the time to prioritize obesity care by expanding access to comprehensive obesity treatments for Colorado residents.
YOUR ASK: If you live in Colorado, please send a letter to key lawmakers urging them to expand access to obesity treatments.
Tennessee: Urge Your State Decision Makers to Expand Access to Obesity Care
HERE’S THE ISSUE: Tennessee ranks 5th in the nation for obesity rates, with over 38% of its residents having obesity and another 32% having overweight. Now is the time to prioritize obesity care by expanding access to comprehensive obesity treatments for Tennessee residents.
YOUR ASK: If you live in Tennessee, please send a letter to key lawmakers urging them to expand access to obesity treatments and stop weight bias.
Maryland: Urge Your State Decision Makers to Expand Access to Obesity Care
HERE’S THE ISSUE: Maryland ranks 22nd in the nation for obesity rates, with over 34% of its residents having obesity and another 33% having overweight. Now is the time to prioritize obesity care by expanding access to comprehensive obesity treatments for Maryland residents.
YOUR ASK: If you live in Maryland, please send a letter to key lawmakers urging them to expand access to obesity treatments and stop weight bias.
Nebraska: Urge Your State Decision Makers to Expand Access to Obesity Care
HERE’S THE ISSUE: Nebraska ranks 17th in the nation for obesity rates, with over 35% of its residents having obesity and another 35% having overweight. Now is the time to prioritize obesity care by expanding access to comprehensive obesity treatments for Nebraska residents.
YOUR ASK: If you live in Nebraska, please send a letter to key lawmakers urging them to expand access to obesity treatments and stop weight bias.
Take an Active Step in Your Healthcare by Reviewing Your Health Insurance Plan!
HERE’S THE ISSUE: The OAC believes ALL insurance plans should cover obesity care and treatment. Obesity is a complex and chronic disease the people should not have to manage alone.
YOUR ASK: Review your insurance to see if it includes obesity care and treatment coverage.
Click here for past Access & Policy Issues.
Looking for tools to help you with taking action on Access to Care? Click here for helpful resources.