Story from OAC Member Sandi Henderson

When people ask why I advocate, the answer is simple: I’ve lived the reality of obesity, and I know what access to treatment can mean.

My journey began in 2004 when I underwent Lap-Band surgery at 424 pounds. The surgery changed my life. I lost 232 pounds and maintained that weight loss for many years. Then the pandemic happened.

Like so many people, my routine changed. I also faced additional medical issues, and little by little, the weight started coming back. By July 2024, the day my Lap-Band was removed, I weighed 257 pounds.

After researching my options, I learned about GLP-1 medications. Unfortunately, like many people, I quickly discovered my insurance wouldn’t cover them. After my bariatric surgeon referred me to an obesity medicine specialist, I began taking compounded Tirzepatide in November 2024 because it was the only option I could realistically afford.

Even then, “affordable” is a relative term. I’ve spent thousands of dollars out of pocket because I knew what was at stake.

The results have been worth every sacrifice. I’ve lost 93 pounds and feel better than I have in years. The weight I lost is certainly meaningful, but what has made the biggest difference is how I feel every day. The inflammation has improved, the constant food noise is gone and for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I’m fighting my body every waking moment.

I also know this isn’t a temporary treatment for me. Just as someone with high blood pressure or diabetes continues taking medication to manage a chronic disease, I expect obesity medication to be part of my healthcare for the rest of my life. I don’t want to become one of the many people who regain weight after stopping treatment simply because they can no longer afford it.

That’s why the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program means so much to me.

At 77 years old and living on a fixed income, I’ve been carefully following the program’s development and made an appointment as soon as I could to talk with my healthcare provider. I hoped Bridge would finally make the medication that has changed my life more affordable. Unfortunately, I learned that I don’t qualify for the program.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. After spending thousands of dollars out of pocket to access treatment that’s improved my health and quality of life, I had hoped this would finally provide some financial relief. Even so, my disappointment doesn’t change what I believe Bridge represents.

Years ago, I walked the halls of Capitol Hill with the Obesity Action Coalition advocating for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA). We talked to lawmakers about why older Americans deserve access to evidence-based obesity treatment. At the time, it felt like we were planting seeds for a future we hoped would someday arrive.

Today, seeing the program become a reality feels like watching those years of advocacy begin to bear fruit. The Bridge Program isn’t the finish line, either.

I hope it demonstrates what so many of us have known for years – when people have access to effective obesity treatment, lives improve. My hope is that the program helps build the case for permanent Medicare coverage so future generations won’t have to fight the same battles we’ve fought. Looking at where we are today, I believe it has.

My husband has also experienced the benefits of obesity treatment, losing more than 60 pounds for the first time in his life while continuing to enjoy healthy eating and regular exercise. Together, we’ve experienced firsthand what access to evidence-based treatment can make possible.

I’m hopeful for what comes next—not just for me, but for the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who may finally have access to the care they deserve.

Explore OAC’s Medicare Bridge Resource Hub to learn more about the Bridge program and find the latest information.