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 August 31, 2025 it would no longer cover obesity medications for retirees and for others who retain coverage care is restricted to network providers only.

For so many living with obesity, these medications are not optional. They are lifelines. They help manage a serious, chronic disease — just like insulin for diabetes or blood pressure medications for hypertension. Without them, many will face worsening health conditions like sleep apnea or heart disease, and the heartbreak of losing the progress they worked so hard to achieve.

This decision is more than unfair — it’s dangerous. It tells service members and their families, who sacrifice every single day, that their health doesn’t matter. It risks national security by making it harder for active-duty members to stay healthy and ready to serve. 

 

Why This Change is Concerning 

  • An estimated 27,000 people lost coverage for their obesity medications.
  • Those beneficiaries that have coverage must now receive care through network providers.
  • There are few TRICARE providers who are trained in obesity medicine.
  • Impacted beneficiaries were given less than 30 days notice of the change, which is not adequate time to switch to a new provider.
  • People who finally found treatment that works are being forced to stop suddenly.
  • Service members’ health and readiness are being put at risk.
  • Obesity is being singled out, treated as “less than” other chronic diseases. 

What You Can Do

We can’t stay silent. Congress needs to hear from the people this decision impacts most. Together, our voices can push TRICARE to reverse this harmful policy.

Take action today. Visit the OAC Action Center to send a message to your Members of Congress asking them to protect access to obesity medications under TRICARE.

This is about fairness. It’s about health. It’s about honoring the sacrifices of military families who deserve the same chance at care and dignity as anyone else.

In 2017, OAC advocated for TRICARE to cover comprehensive obesity treatments, including FDA-approved medications. We will continue to fight to protect this coverage. We are stronger when we speak out together — let’s make sure TRICARE hears us loud and clear.