Treat and Reduce Obesity Act
Why Obesity Treatment Matters
Obesity is a complex, multifactorial condition with nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults living with overweight and obesity. Obesity represents a significant public health and economic concern with the associated health care and productivity costs reached $425.5 billion in 2023 (GlobalData Plc., 2024).
Addressing obesity requires access to comprehensive, evidence-based care provided by both primary care providers and specialty providers. Interventions such as intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) have been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions, while improving quality of life. Ensuring access to comprehensive obesity care is critical to addressing this growing national crisis.
References
Legislation
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) expands Medicare beneficiaries' access to proven obesity treatments. The bill removes outdated restrictions that currently limit IBT to primary care settings and providers, allowing qualified practitioners—including RDNs—to deliver and bill for IBT.
It also authorizes Medicare coverage for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, enabling a comprehensive treatment model where medications and behavioral therapy work together to support long-term weight management.
- IBT delivered by RDNs supports improved health outcomes and strengthens the prevention and management of obesity.
- Research shows that after two years, patients who received IBT from an RDN are twice as likely to achieve clinically significant weight loss, experience greater average weight loss, and exercise more than patients who did not receive IBT.
- TROA supports a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to obesity care by expanding access to IBT and other clinically appropriate interventions, including pharmacotherapy when appropriate.
- Evidence demonstrates that IBT produces clinically meaningful weight loss and improves key risk factors, including blood pressure, glucose levels, and cardiovascular risk.
- Expanding access to RDNs to provide IBT supports high-value, evidence-based care delivery.
- By enabling coordinated, interdisciplinary care, TROA helps ensure patients receive care from the most appropriate provider, supporting quality outcomes and more sustainable health care spending.
The Academy's Stance on Obesity Treatment
The Academy strongly supports expanding access to evidence-based obesity care including IBT, MNT and anti-obesity medications.
Intensive Behavioral Therapy
Research shows that IBT provided by RDNs leads to greater and more sustained weight loss, with patients receiving RDN-delivered IBT twice as likely to achieve clinically meaningful results. The National Academy of Medicine, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and leading physicians agree that RDNs are among the most effective providers of IBT. Allowing RDNs to fully deliver these services is also cost-effective, as they are reimbursed at 85% of primary care provider rates and consistently deliver high-value nutrition care.
TROA strengthens coordinated, interdisciplinary treatment and ensures patients receive the right care at the right time.
Anti-Obesity Medications
GLP1 and other incretin-based anti-obesity medications can be incorporated as part of comprehensive, evidence-based obesity treatment, not as standalone solutions. The Academy emphasizes that individuals prescribed GLP1 therapies must also receive MNT and ongoing lifestyle interventions delivered by RDNs to ensure safety, maximize effectiveness and support long-term health outcomes.
GLP1 therapies reduce calorie intake, which increases the risk of inadequate nutrient intake, muscle loss, dehydration, and gastrointestinal side effects; RDNs are essential for monitoring and mitigating these risks. The Academy urges prescribers and pharmaceutical manufacturers to pair every prescription for an obesity medication with a referral to an RDN, noting that coordinated, interprofessional care is critical for optimal results.
Policy changes are also needed to expand access to both obesity medications and RDN-provided services to reduce inequities in obesity care.
Read more about the Academy's stance on anti-obesity medications
Get Involved
Academy Members: Get involved and connect with fellow Academy members to advocate for top policy priorities impacting our profession. The MNT and Payment Affinity Group meets quarterly to discuss Academy advocacy priorities and strategies related to enhancing access to MNT and nutrition care services. Join the MNT and Payment Affinity Group.
Organizations: Join the MNT Advocacy Coalition. We meet monthly to strategize federal policy efforts to increase access to MNT services, including advancing the MNT Act. Send an email to get engaged.
TROA Advocacy Resources
References
Join the Academy
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