FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2025

 

National Coalition Applauds Congressmembers for Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Obesity Treatments

Obesity Action Coalition Urges Congress to Pass the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (H.R. 4231/S. 1973) to Address Outdated Policy Constraints & Expand Medicare Access to Innovative Treatments for Obesity

Tampa, FL (July 8, 2025) – Today, United States Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI) announced the introduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) (H.R. 4231), bipartisan, bicameral legislation that directly provides Medicare beneficiaries with access to safe and effective obesity treatment tools, including expanded coverage of visits with healthcare providers who specialize in obesity care and FDA-approved obesity medications. H.R. 4231 will act as the House counterpart for S. 1973, which was introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in early June.

“Obesity is a complex chronic disease and should have treatment coverage similar to other conditions,” said Joe Nadglowski, Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) President and CEO. “We commend Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI) for championing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, and call on their colleagues to support this critical bipartisan legislation to address the obesity epidemic.”

TROA is assigned to the Committee on Finance in the Senate, and Committee on Energy and Commerce and Committee on Ways and Means in the House of Representatives. The legislation aims to effectively treat and address obesity in older Americans by:

  • Enhancing Medicare beneficiaries’ access to healthcare providers that are best suited to provide intensive behavioral therapy (IBT)
  • Allowing Medicare Part D to cover FDA-approved obesity medications

By 2030, experts estimate that nearly half of all American adults will be living with obesity. Those impacted are at a high risk of developing other conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, which are leading causes of preventable deaths in the U.S.

“Obesity shortens your life,” said Senator Cassidy. “We have an opportunity to treat it through Medicare. Let’s do it.”

“Access to the full range of health care options is essential to preventing deadly, obesity-related illnesses – one of the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S.,” said Senator Luján. “The bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act will expand Medicare coverage, support those fighting obesity, and help save lives.”

“This bipartisan legislation would allow seniors struggling with obesity to take a responsible, proactive approach to improve their health and live longer, more active lives,” said Representative Kelly. “I look forward to working with the Trump administration and the team at CMS, including my friend Dr. Mehmet Oz, to make America healthy again!”

Click here to see the full text of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act.

About the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC):

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a more than 85,000 member-strong national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by the disease of obesity through education, advocacy and support. The OAC is the first and only organization of its kind and the nation’s leading voice representing those impacted by obesity. To learn more about our work, please visit ObesityAction.org.