2025 has already been a busy year for the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), especially in our advocacy work to improve access to obesity care. One of the most significant milestones from 2024 was the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Proposed Rule, which would expand coverage for obesity medications under Medicare and Medicaid. With CMS expected to finalize the rule by the end of May, OAC is working tirelessly to ensure it moves forward.

Making Our Case to the Trump Administration

In March, OAC met with officials from the Trump Administration to express strong support for the CMS Proposed Rule and to share powerful stories of the lived experience with obesity. Approximately 30 government officials participated in the conversation, and we were encouraged by the high level of interest and engagement.

OAC President and CEO Joe Nadglowski made it clear why this change is long overdue:

“I hope some of you listening today are familiar with our group, because OAC has been asking for the change being proposed for more than 13 years. I realize hindsight is 20/20, but if we’d only been successful in driving that change back when we started this effort, I suspect the world would look very different now in terms of both the Medicare population and the pricing of these medications.”

A 13-Year Fight That Isn’t Over

OAC has been advocating for Medicare coverage of obesity medications since a time when only a few outdated treatment options were available. We’ve led the charge in Congress with the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), a bill that would authorize coverage for FDA-approved obesity medications and expand the range of healthcare providers who can deliver Intensive Behavioral Therapy for obesity.

We believe that the buying power of federally controlled health programs can help establish fair pricing for obesity medications. These medications should not be classified as high-cost specialty drugs—they should be accessible, everyday tools for better health. That’s why we continue urging CMS to leverage programs like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to negotiate lower prices. We also hope that Medicare coverage will drive similar changes in the private insurance market.

The Time to Act is Now

While federal advocacy remains a key priority, OAC is also holding insurers and pharmaceutical companies accountable. We’ve seen progress—cash-pay prices for obesity medications are dropping to around $500 per month—but that’s still unaffordable for many. We believe insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and drug manufacturers must do more to make these medications accessible to the millions who need them.

We are closer than ever to nationwide policy changes that could expand access to obesity care, but securing Medicare coverage for these medications is critical. OAC will continue leading the fight, but we need patients and healthcare providers to stand with us! Stay tuned for updates on our ongoing efforts to expand coverage for all evidence-based obesity treatments.

Want can you do in the meantime? Join us on April 17 via Zoom for an “OAC Advocacy Update” training with Sarah Bramblette, OAC Senior Advocacy Manager. We will share an update on our current Federal and State advocacy efforts and how you can get involved. REGISTER HERE