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

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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

OCAN is grateful for the recent meeting with the Trump administration to discuss the CMS proposed rule that would cover FDA-approved obesity medications. OCAN and its members are encouraged that federal policymakers are considering the positive impact that the CMS proposed rule would have on Americans’ health, as the reinterpretation of this coverage policy will be key to making America healthy again and addressing the nation’s chronic disease crisis.Obesity must be addressed, treated and managed effectively. This includes an all-of-the-above strategy including administering intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) and bariatric surgery under Medicare Part B and providing Medicare Part D coverage for FDA approved obesity medications.Our recent survey found that 71% of Americans support the Trump administration efforts to finalize the proposed rule that would expand Medicare to include obesity medications. We remain hopeful that the administration will take this important step forward to address America’s on-going obesity crisis.

OCAN Statement After OMB Meeting

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>

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&nbsp;April 4, 2025FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWASHINGTON, DC – Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) today released a statement on the CMS 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule and the decision to not finalize the proposed rule to extend obesity treatment coverage to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries:OCAN is deeply disappointed in the decision not to extend coverage of obesity medications to Medicare recipients by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services. This was a game-changing opportunity to propel millions of Americans fighting this chronic disease to better health. Nearly a third of older Americans suffer with the disease of obesity. This is a crisis—if no action is taken, in five short years, half of Americans will be living with obesity. We cannot afford to continue the status quo. This will cost our healthcare system millions more in treating expensive diseases associated with obesity, not to mention lost productivity and economic output.With nearly three-quarters of Americans supporting the proposed rule to expand crucial access to obesity treatment, OCAN and its members will continue to advocate for the millions of Americans who lack access to comprehensive evidence-based care. Now that CMS has acknowledged that obesity is a disease just like other health conditions that require treatment and specialized care, we call upon Congress to introduce legislation to provide access to this critical coverage to Americans battling this disease.###

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

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By the Numbers

42%

U.S. Adults with Obesity

$170B

Annual Excess Costs of Adult Obesity

230+

Obesity-related Conditions

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