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Wednesday, March 3rd of Obesity Care Week (#OCW2021) is focused on access to care.
Today, more than 93 million adult Americans are living with obesity. Many do not know that obesity is a disease and that their healthcare provider can help them with weight-loss and maintenance. Others do not have insurance coverage to help them pay for these healthcare options and science-based obesity treatments.
The OAC supports Obesity Care Week in emphasizing that everyone should have access to healthcare. Access should not be limited by a person’s size, weight or economic status. Access to care is not a complicated idea. It can mean different things to different people, but in the end, it is about people getting the help they need to treat obesity.
Access to care begins with seeing obesity as a chronic disease, diagnosed by a healthcare provider, that deserves comprehensive care. Obesity is not someone’s fault or their responsibility to manage alone. For more information about#OCW2021 and involvement opportunities, sign-up for OCW Alerts.
Here is a video from an OAC Member, Liz Paul of Mankato, MN, to help shed light on access to care barriers that have prevented her from getting the obesity treatment she seeks.
Take Action on Access to Care Day by Urging Your Legislators to Cosponsor and Support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act!
Expanding access to obesity care is a fundamental step to improving the lives of individuals living with obesity. One way you can make a difference on #OCW2021 Access to Care Day is to help support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act!
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) is a bipartisan bill that will soon be reintroduced into the 117th Congress. This legislation will expand Medicare coverage to include treatment of obesity from a broader range of healthcare providers (dietitians, psychologists, specialty physicians, etc.) and FDA-approved medications for chronic weight management.
TROA is important to ALL Americans because health insurance companies often model their covered health benefits to reflect coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. Passing TROA is especially important as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic with obesity increasing the risk for health complications. For more information about TROA, click here.
Here’s How You Can Help!
During #OCW2021 and after, help us grow support for TROA by urging both of your Senators, as well as your House of Representatives member, to cosponsor and support the final passage of this legislation!
The OAC has made it easy for you to take action. Just CLICK HERE to get matched with your state representatives and send them a letter that we’ve already written for you using our automated message generator. You can also customize your letter and send an automated social media tweet to your representatives as well!
Tweet this! Everyone should have access to healthcare that is not limited by their size, weight or economic status. Use your voice and help us support the Treat and Reduce #Obesity Act! #TROA #OCW2021 ObesityCareWeek.org/TROA @ObesityCareWeek
Tweet this! Access to comprehensive #obesity care is needed for the long-term treatment of obesity. #OCW2021 ObesityCareWeek.org/TROA @ObesityCareWeek