The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics applauds the recently reintroduced, bipartisan and bicameral Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (S.1973and H.R.4231) in the 119th U.S. Congress.
The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. 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 more than 40% of Americans aged 60 and older.
The Academy has been a longtime champion of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which was first introduced in the U.S. Congress in 2013 and consistently generates bipartisan support. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act offers clinically- and cost-effective solutions to the obesity epidemic by ensuring that Medicare patients have access to the best possible care at only a fraction of the cost. The bill removes unnecessary barriers, which would allow a variety of qualified practitioners, such as registered dietitians, to effectively treat obesity through Intensive Behavioral Therapy (IBT). The bill also authorizes coverage for FDA-approved weight-loss medications that complement Intensive Behavioral Therapy.
Modernizing Medicare policy by removing outdated barriers to care is supported by a majority of Americans — including 82% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats. Expanding Medicare coverage and access to IBT will be key to addressing the nation’s chronic disease crisis.
As a proud member of the Obesity Care Advocacy Network, the Academy calls on Congress to prioritize obesity as a public health crisis and to swiftly pass the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act.
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