TROA FAQ

What is TROA?

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) would improve access to safe, effective and life-changing treatments for obesity for Medicare beneficiaries. Obesity is a complex, chronic condition that impacts over 100 million Americans. Unfortunately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) still prohibits Medicare prescription drug coverage of obesity medications, and the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) for obesity is overly restrictive to the types of health professionals and settings of care.

TROA (S. 1973/H.R. 4231) aims to effectively treat and address obesity in older Americans by:

• Enhancing Medicare beneficiaries’ access to healthcare providers that are best suited to provide IBT.
• Allowing Medicare Part D to cover FDA-approved obesity medications.

 

When was TROA first introduced?

TROA was first introduced during the 113^th Congressional session in 2013. It is a bill that has received support from both Republicans and Democrats. The bill has been re-introduced in every subsequent Congress since the 113^th.

 

Has TROA been introduced in the current Congressional session?

Yes. TROA was reintroduced in the 119^th Congress by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in the Senate and Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) in the House. Now, it’s time to strengthen Congressional support for the bill and urge legislators to co-sponsor TROA and call for the final passage of the legislation.

 

Why is TROA important?

• Obesity impacts 9% of Americans. Being affected by excess weight, obesity, or severe obesity significantly increases the risk of developing many other diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and osteoarthritis.
• American adults living with obesity experienced higher medical care costs by $2,505/year. Adults with public health insurance are disproportionately impacted by these cost increases.
• Obesity costs the US healthcare system almost $173 billion per year. Addressing obesity comprehensively and proactively through medications and lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce other healthcare costs, as demonstrated by a Veterans Health Administration (VA) study.

TROA will provide more treatment options for obesity such as FDA-approved medication coverage and access to IBT.

 

Who will benefit from TROA? 

• Medicare Recipients. Nearly 42% of Americans age 60 and older are living with obesity today. A strong focus on treating obesity as a preventative measure for other diseases and chronic conditions would improve, overall, the health status of Medicare patients and reduce inpatient stays in skilled nursing facilities, falls and injuries and ER visits – all things Medicare tries to avoid due to cost.
• Rural Communities. Rural Americans are six times more likely to experience obesity. TROA will expand access to easy-to-use, effective treatments for the condition and reduce healthcare disparities impacting rural Americans, particularly those exacerbated by rural healthcare deserts across the nation.
• Black & Hispanic Americans. Obesity is more prevalent among communities of color in the U.S., with 8% of non-Hispanic Black adults and 44.8% of Hispanic adults living with the chronic condition. Communities of color also face additional disparities in healthcare due to additional environmental and systemic inequities, which can be alleviated by better access to innovative obesity treatments.
• All Americans. As health insurance companies traditionally model their coverage plans after Medicare, the expansion of coverage under Medicare Part D through TROA could increase access to effective obesity treatments for all Americans.

 

Will I benefit from TROA?

 In one form or another, all Americans will benefit from this bill as better access to healthcare allows for better living for all. Even if you are not a Medicare recipient, changes to insurance coverage plans that follow the Medicare changes can benefit you. If you or a loved one suffer from obesity, insurance coverage that includes specialized treatment and FDA-approved medications for chronic weight management can allow for better access to healthcare and improved health.

 

Where can I learn more about TROA?

Additional information about TROA can be found at ObesityAction.org/TROA.

 

Why should I support TROA?

Patients living with the chronic condition of obesity should have the same access to care as individuals with other chronic conditions. TROA will ensure more appropriate, comprehensive and patient-centered treatment of obesity and related comorbidities for Americans suffering from this disease by giving patients with Medicare and healthcare providers more tools on their journey to improved health.

 

Can I find out if my Senators and Representative support TROA?

Yes! Congress.gov maintains an ongoing list of all bill sponsors.

Find out if your Senator supports the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act by clicking HERE.

Find out if your Representative supports the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act by clicking HERE.

 

How can I help with the passage of TROA?

You can visit ObesityAction.org/TROA and complete the Take Action form found at the bottom of the page. Once you complete the form you will be able to send emails to your representatives in Congress urging them to support TROA and become a cosponsor.