OAC Blog

  Since 2017, TRICARE has provided comprehensive obesity care for its beneficiaries — including coverage for FDA-approved obesity medications. But in August 2025, that changed. TRICARE announced that retirees would no longer have coverage for these medications and that other beneficiaries could only access coverage through in-network providers. This decision isn’t just unfair — it’s dangerous. It
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Millions of Americans living with obesity face barriers to accessing the treatment they need, including high out-of-pocket costs and limited coverage under Medicare and Medicaid. Thanks to the advocacy of thousands of supporters like you, today’s announcement marks a meaningful step toward breaking down these long-standing barriers to care. OAC Applauds the Administration The Obesity
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to recognize the impact of bullying and advocate for respect, inclusion and understanding. At the Obesity Action Coalition, we are inspired by the courage of our Thrive Together teens who share their stories to help others feel seen and supported. One such teen is Annie, whose journey
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John Candy Deserved Better. So Do the Millions Living with Obesity Today. By Joe Nadglowski, President & CEO, Obesity Action Coalition John Candy was more than a comedian. He was a cultural icon, a father, a friend and by all accounts, a deeply kind human being. But as the new documentary John Candy: I Like
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The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) thanks the DeWine Administration and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services for recognizing the need to address the chronic disease of obesity in Ohio. This is a positive first step resulting from months of stakeholder advocacy and outreach to state government leaders. Effective October 7, Ohio will launch a new
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When my A1C hit 10.2, I knew I was in dangerous territory. Type 2 diabetes had taken hold, and the future looked terrifying. Then I started a GLP-1 medication. Within months, my A1C dropped into the 6s. My health stabilized. For the first time in years, I felt like I had control over my body
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From September 18 to 20, the world’s leading thinkers will gather in New York City for The Atlantic Festival, a celebration of journalism, ideas, and culture. Among the pressing issues on the agenda: the future of healthcare and how we think about obesity. The Obesity Action Coalition is proud to see two of our leaders,
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Last week, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) along with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and The Obesity Society (TOS), met with staff members of Senate and House Armed Services Committee members to express concern about recent changes to TRICARE coverage for obesity care. Early last month, TRICARE announced that as of
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A new study published in Patient Education and Counseling highlights how primary care visits can be transformed to better meet the needs of people living with obesity. The research was co-authored by Kristal Lyn Brown (Drexel University), OAC staff leaders James Zervios, Vice President and COO, and Michelle Vicari, Senior Program Manager, among others, and
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Obesity Action Coalition’s Your Weight Matters 2025 National Convention The Obesity Action Coalition’s 13th annual Your Weight Matters National Convention was a three-day, in-person event designed to equip attendees with the tools needed to take charge of their weight and health and to shape a better world for people with obesity. Close to 300 individuals
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Tennessee WIN – TennCare Expands Coverage for Obesity Medications Obesity Action Coalition applauds TennCare’s (Tennessee Medicaid) decision to cover obesity medications effective August 1, 2025 for beneficiaries 21 years or older. TennCare patients under age 21 have benefited from these medications for years and the State’s move to expand coverage for adults comes at a
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TROA is Back and We’re Taking Action! Twenty years ago, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) was founded to fill a critical gap — the need for a strong, unified voice representing individuals living with obesity. Since then, we’ve been committed to breaking down barriers to care, fighting weight bias and ensuring that people living with
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