Help Make Obesity Treatments Accessible and Affordable!

Background:
Over 41% of adults and 19% of children in the U.S. are affected by obesity, and over 31% of adults and 16% of children are affected by overweight. Yet, affordability and access to obesity medications and other evidence-based treatments is often dependent on a person’s employer health plan, income level or zip code. Expanding access to affordable, safe, effective and comprehensive obesity treatment options will allow patients and their healthcare providers additional tools in their journey to improved health. Now is the time for change – prioritizing obesity care is good for businesses, people and our economy.

We must start treating obesity the same as other chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes by ensuring that obesity medications and treatments are covered under health plan benefits. Coverage of obesity treatments should be affordable and without unscientific barriers to care.

Treating obesity early is a meaningful long-term investment. Access to evidence-based obesity care results in significant savings and health improvements. Addressing obesity early is like how other chronic diseases are treated and can prevent various life-threatening conditions associated with obesity, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and several cancers – all leading causes of preventable death and rising healthcare costs in the United States.

Lawmakers, obesity medication manufacturers, health insurance companies and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) each have a crucial role to play in ensuring that people with obesity can access the medications and treatments they need to improve their health and well-being.

OAC recommends the following solutions:

• Lawmakers, health insurance companies and health plan administrators MUST prioritize obesity care and treat this disease like we treat other chronic diseases. Obesity treatments should be part of the standard benefit in all health plans, and carve-outs and exclusions must be eliminated.
• Drug manufacturers MUST make obesity medications more affordable through realistic pricing, consumer discount programs and patient assistance programs.
• Pharmacy benefit managers MUST negotiate fair deals and maximize rebates and discounts that reach patients when they pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy.

Take Action Now: Use OAC’s advocacy tool below to sign our letter of support urging key decision-makers to make obesity medications and treatments affordable and accessible.

It’s Easy to Advocate: Sign our letter of support today by filling your information in below!