OAC Action Teams: Be the Voice for Change

by Sarah Bramblette, MSHL,OAC Senior Advocacy Manager

Fall 2025

As we celebrate the OAC’s 20th Anniversary, we are reflecting on two decades of elevating the voices of people living with obesity. From the very beginning, advocacy has been at the heart of OAC’s mission. Together, we’ve fought to expand access to care, reduce weight stigma, and educate the public about the complexity of obesity.

But our work continues as millions of Americans still face harmful stereotypes, barriers to treatment, and outdated policies that limit their ability to live their healthiest lives. That’s why we launched OAC Action Teams — a new way for OAC members to take real action for real change!

What are the OAC Action Teams?

OAC Action Teams are a group of advocates across the country, trained and ready to take action when it matters most. Whether at the city, state or federal level, these advocates are the first in line to influence policies that impact people with obesity.

Since launching in May, more than 130 advocates from 40 states have stepped up to join the OAC Action Teams. Each of them is committed to speaking up when key issues arise—whether it’s protecting access to life-saving treatments, fighting harmful stereotypes in the media, or ensuring fair insurance coverage.

Why Your Voice Matters

For too long, people living with obesity have been left out of conversations that affect them. Policies and regulations are often written without considering the lived experiences of those most impacted. By sharing your story and raising your voice, you help decision makers understand that obesity is a complex, chronic disease and we deserve fair treatment, dignity and respect.

Your voice helps us break down stigma, open doors to better care, and ensure that policies reflect compassion, science, and fairness.

Why We Need YOU!

All advocacy is local. From city councils to state legislatures to Congress, decisions made by policymakers directly impact the lives of people living with obesity. Where you live matters, because your lawmakers want to hear from their constituents. Your story helps them see the real-world impact of their decisions.

Ways You Can Advocate

Joining OAC Action Teams doesn’t require a big time commitment. It simply means being ready to act when called upon. There are so many ways to make your voice heard—many of which you can do right from home:

• Send emails or make phone calls
• Share your story
• Submit written comments or testimony
• Write letters to the editor or op-eds 
• Participate in virtual advocacy events
• Meet with lawmakers and decision-makers 
• Testify at hearings 
• Take part in roundtables or briefings
• Serve on patient advisory boards 

Every action—big or small—adds up to powerful change when we act together.

We’re Stronger Together

Throughout the past 20 years, OAC has proven the power of collective advocacy. Together, we’ve influenced national conversations, shifted public perceptions, and won meaningful policy victories. But there is still much more to do—and we can’t do it without you.

Joining OAC Action Teams means standing alongside a nationwide community of advocates who believe that every person living with obesity deserves dignity, respect, and access to care. There’s no ongoing commitment—just the readiness to act when your voice is needed most.

Take Action Today – Sign up for OAC Action Teams today! 

Together, we can ensure the next 20 years of OAC’s work are even more powerful than the first.

List of states that currently have OAC Action Teams members:

•  Alabama
•  Arkansas
•  California
•  Colorado
•  Connecticut
•  Florida
•  Georgia
•  Iowa
•  Idaho
•  Illinois
•  Indiana
•  Kansas
•  Kentucky
•  Louisiana
•  Massachusetts
•  Maryland
•  Maine
•  Michigan
•  Minnesota
•  Missouri
•  Mississippi
•  North Carolina
•  Nebraska
•  New Hampshire
•  New Jersey
•  Nevada
•  New York
•  Ohio
•  Oklahoma
•  Oregon
•  Pennsylvania
•  South Carolina
•  South Dakota
•  Tennessee
•  Texas
•  Utah
•  Virginia
•  Washington
•  Wisconsin
•  West Virginia

In 2025, OAC raised its voice for access to care and against weight bias in the following states:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

OAC Advocacy Priorities 

• Comprehensive Obesity Care – Our goal is to ensure that everyone living with obesity has access to comprehensive, affordable care. This means insurance should cover all evidence-based treatment options, allowing patients and healthcare providers to make individualized decisions together.
• Weight Stigma – Weight and body size are not recognized as protected classes under federal laws. Currently, Michigan is the only state with a law prohibiting weight-based discrimination and just eight cities have local protections. There is significant opportunity to expand anti-discrimination protections at both the federal and state levels.

Advocacy Impacts

OAC’s advocacy work influences both federal and state health systems that directly affect access to obesity care. At the federal level, this includes agencies and programs such as CMS, CDC, FDA, VA, TRICARE and Federal Employees Health Plans. At the state level, advocacy impacts coverage and care in Medicaid, State Employee Health Plans, state-regulated plans, employer group coverage and Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange plans. Together, these efforts shape how millions of Americans access treatment, prevention and support for obesity.

2025 Advocacy Wins

• WIN: Colorado – Diabetes Prevention & Obesity Treatment Act Becomes Law

The Colorado General Assembly passed the Diabetes Prevention & Obesity Treatment Act which expanded access to evidence-based treatment for individuals with private insurance. OAC Advocate Teddy McCullough testified during a committee hearing on the bill and authored an op-ed about the need for coverage.

• WIN: Tennessee – TennCare Expands Coverage for Obesity Medications 

After years of advocacy work by OAC and other stakeholders, TennCare (Medicaid) expanded coverage to include FDA-approved obesity medications. In early 2024, OAC staff and Amber Huett-Garcia, Past OAC Board Chair who resides in Memphis met with the Director of TennCare. 

• WIN: Texas – Making Progress Towards Comprehensive Obesity Care

Legislation that would provide Medicaid coverage for comprehensive obesity treatments advanced out of committee with bipartisan support and was scheduled for a vote in the full House of Representatives. Several OAC Texas advocates submitted testimony for the hearing. While the bill was not voted on, the progress was unexpected and provides the bill positive prospects when it is introduced in the next legislative session. 

• Progress: Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)

This important legislation has been introduced in every Congress since 2012, and it remains a top priority for OAC. If passed, TROA would expand access to comprehensive obesity care for millions of Americans with Medicare — including access to intensive behavioral therapy with qualified healthcare providers and FDA-approved medications. Progress is being made, as TROA advanced farther in 2024 than it ever had in previous years! Each time it is introduced, it gains more awareness and more bipartisan supporters in Congress. TROA is about more than just Medicare. When federal programs expand access to care, it creates a ripple effect that can influence private insurance coverage, reduce stigma, and shape national conversations about obesity treatment.

Together, we are building a future where comprehensive care is accessible and weight stigma has no place. With your voice and support, OAC will continue driving change at every level.

 

About the Author: 

Sarah Bramblette, MSHL, is the OAC Senior Advocacy Manager and a longtime health advocate who uses her personal experiences to raise awareness about obesity, access to care and weight bias. In her role with OAC, she helps develop and mentor new advocates through OAC’s Action Teams program, equipping individuals with the tools and confidence to share their stories and take action in their own communities and beyond.