large_Artboard 1.jpg

medium_Artboard 1.jpg

small_Artboard 1.jpg

thumbnail_Artboard 1.jpg

Artboard 1.jpg

The Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) needs your help to address obesity. Visit our Action Center to use your voice on important obesity issues.

Take Action

By the Numbers

February 20, 2025Washington, DC—Americans of all ages and political persuasions overwhelmingly support extending Medicare coverage to obesity medications, according to a new Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) poll.The results reveal a broad, bipartisan desire for government action to tackle the nation’s growing obesity epidemic as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. begins to implement the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.Key findings include:<ul><li>75% of Americans—including 74% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats—believe that individuals with obesity should have access to effective medical treatments, similar to those with other chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease</li><li>71% of Americans—including 79% of Republicans and 73% of Democrats—support the Trump administration finalizing a proposed policy change that would expand Medicare coverage to include obesity treatment, including prescription medications</li><li>74% of Americans—including 82% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats—support the Trump administration or Congress expanding Medicare coverage and access to intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) to help change eating and exercise habits for the treatment of obesity</li></ul>These results reinforce the public’s strong support for expanding access to obesity care and policy changes that prioritize Americans' health needs.“To achieve making America healthier, obesity must be addressed, treated and managed effectively and these survey results indicate that an overwhelming majority of Americans support the Trump administration finalizing the proposed CMS rule to expand access to obesity medications,” said Cristy Gallagher of OCAN. “By extending access to FDA-approved obesity medications for people living with obesity who lack access to comprehensive evidence-based care in Medicare, the Trump administration has the power to start fixing the nation’s chronic disease crisis.”As Secretary Kennedy seeks to deliver on the MAHA agenda, it’s clear that expanding Medicare coverage of obesity medications is necessary to ensure that Americans can live healthier lives.For the full poll results, see <a href="https://obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com/news/majority-trump-administration-to-expand-medicare-obesity-medications">https://obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com/news/majority-trump-administration-to-expand-medicare-obesity-medications</a>For more information, please visit <a href="www.ObesityCareAdvocacyNetwork.org">www.ObesityCareAdvocacyNetwork.org</a>.MethodologyThe OCAN survey of 2,012 adults 18+ was conducted by Focaldata Feb. 12-13, drawing a sample designed to be statistically representative of the U.S. population. The margin of error for adults overall is +/- 2 percentage points.About OCANThe Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) is a diverse group of organizations who have come together to change how the nation perceives and approaches our country’s obesity epidemic by educating and advocating for public policies and increased funding for obesity education, research, treatment, and care.

THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE: Americans Across the Political Spectrum Support Trump Administration Expanding Coverage of Obesity Medications, New Poll Shows

THE CASE FOR EVIDENCE-BASED IBT FOR OBESITY TREATMENT - OCAN.pdf

OCAN Fact Sheet: The Case for Evidence-Based Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity Treatment

Jan 2025 OCAN Survey Results.pdf

<figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com/OCAN_Infographic_fca1d0e4f4/OCAN_Infographic_fca1d0e4f4.jpg"></figure> Click Below to See Full Survey Results

Majority of Americans Want The Trump Administration To Expand Medicare Coverage For Obesity Medications

<h1>Obesity is a complex chronic disease – OCAN is leading the fight for comprehensive care.</h1>

large_shutterstock_1303850926 [Converted]_Hero_Image.png

medium_shutterstock_1303850926 [Converted]_Hero_Image.png

small_shutterstock_1303850926 [Converted]_Hero_Image.png

thumbnail_shutterstock_1303850926 [Converted]_Hero_Image.png

shutterstock_1303850926 [Converted]_Hero_Image.png

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWashington, DC—The Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1973?overview=closed">Treat and Reduce Obesity Act</a> in both the United States House and Senate. Led by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI), this critical legislation would expand Medicare coverage for the full continuum of obesity care, recognizing obesity as a chronic, treatable disease that affects over 40 percent of Americans aged 60 and older.First introduced in 2013, TROA has consistently generated bipartisan support, reflecting a growing consensus among policymakers on the need to address the nation’s obesity epidemic. Modernizing Medicare policy by removing outdated barriers to care is <a href="https://obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com/news/the-will-of-the-people">supported by a majority</a> of Americans--including 82 percent of Republicans and 74 percent of Democrats. Expanding Medicare coverage and access to intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) will be key to making America healthy and addressing the nation’s chronic disease crisis.“Obesity is one of the leading contributors to preventable disease and rising healthcare costs in the U.S.,” said Cristy Gallagher, Coordinator of the Obesity Care Advocacy Network. “The introduction of TROA is a welcome and vital step toward ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive obesity treatments. OCAN commends Senators Cassidy and Luján and Representatives Kelly, Miller-Meeks, Ruiz, and Moore, for standing up on behalf of the millions of Americans living with obesity.”The legislation would clarify an old statute that is interpreted to prohibit Medicare Part D from covering evidence-based obesity medications. TROA also enhances access to IBT under Medicare Part B, which, under the current policy, can only be provided by primary care doctors. TROA expands access to IBT to ensure a broader array of healthcare providers, including registered dietitian nutritionists, obesity medicine specialists, endocrinologists, bariatric surgeons, clinical psychologists, and community-based providers. By expanding access to lifestyle-based interventions like IBT, TROA ensures patients with obesity will have access to the full spectrum of obesity care.TROA has garnered widespread support from healthcare providers, patient advocates, and the business community, reflecting the broad consensus on the need to remove outdated barriers to care. OCAN urges Congress to prioritize obesity as a public health crisis and to swiftly pass TROA.About OCANThe Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) is a diverse group of organizations who have come together to change how the nation perceives and approaches our country’s obesity epidemic by educating and advocating for public policies and increased funding for obesity education, research, treatment, and care. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com/">www.obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Obesity is a complex chronic disease – OCAN is leading the fight for comprehensive care.

Featured

Twitter

By the Numbers

42%

U.S. Adults with Obesity

$170B

Annual Excess Costs of Adult Obesity

230+

Obesity-related Conditions

Obesity Facts

Advocacy