As Part Of The Obesity Care Advocacy Network The Academy Of

As Part Of The Obesity Care Advocacy Network The Academy Of Nutrition

As part of the Obesity Care Advocacy Network, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics collaborated with its partners to develop a bill to tackle the obesity epidemic by expanding Medicare coverage to include additional qualified practitioners and FDA-approved medications for patients with obesity. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2019 is a bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced in the 116th Congress for the fourth time in the last 7 years. This bill would amend the Social Security Act to enable the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to enhance beneficiary access to the most qualified existing Medicare providers of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity (IBT), resulting in decreased health care costs and lower obesity rates among older adults.

Our nation is paying the price for overlooking the importance of food and nutrition-related diseases. Obesity accounts for 21% of total national health care spending, summing to as much as $210 billion annually. Medicare and Medicaid patients with obesity cost the government $61.8 billion per year; eradicating obesity would result in an 8.5% savings in Medicare spending (Finkelstein, 2009). Obesity places an enormous financial burden on American families, our economy, and our nation’s healthcare system. 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 IBT.

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The obesity epidemic represents one of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing the United States today. Its far-reaching implications extend not only to individual health outcomes but also to the economic sustainability of the nation’s healthcare system. Recognizing this, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as part of the Obesity Care Advocacy Network, championed legislative efforts such as the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2019. This bill seeks to address the multifaceted barriers that hinder effective obesity treatment among Medicare beneficiaries, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Fundamental to understanding the significance of this legislative initiative is the recognition that obesity is a complex, chronic disease requiring comprehensive management strategies. The current Medicare framework limits access to specialized services by restricting coverage primarily to a narrow range of providers and treatments. By expanding coverage to include qualified practitioners like registered dietitians and incorporating FDA-approved pharmacological interventions, the bill aims to offer a more holistic approach to obesity care (Wang & Lobelo, 2017).

The economic burden of obesity on the U.S. healthcare system is staggering. According to Finkelstein et al. (2009), obesity accounts for approximately 21% of total healthcare expenditure, translating into hundreds of billions of dollars annually. This high financial toll underscores the necessity for effective policies that not only improve health outcomes but also reduce costs. The proposed legislation anticipates that increased access to effective behavioral and pharmacological interventions would lead to significant cost savings by preventing obesity-related complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

One of the critical barriers addressed by the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act is the limited scope of providers authorized to deliver intensive behavioral therapy (IBT). Currently, the restrictive policy excludes many qualified practitioners who could contribute significantly to obesity management. The bill’s provisions to include registered dietitians and other trained health professionals would facilitate a multidisciplinary approach, which is essential for managing obesity effectively (Kraschnewski & Boan, 2016). This expansion is supported by evidence demonstrating that dietetic professionals play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable weight management interventions.

Moreover, the legislation's authorization of FDA-approved weight loss medications represents an important advancement in comprehensive obesity care. By integrating pharmacological options into Medicare coverage, the bill recognizes the importance of individualized treatment plans that combine behavioral and medical strategies. Such an approach aligns with current clinical guidelines, which advocate for personalized treatment regimens based on patient needs, preferences, and comorbid conditions (Pi-Sunyer et al., 2015).

Beyond clinical implications, the legislative effort mirrors a growing awareness of the socio-economic factors affecting obesity prevalence. Socioeconomic disparities influence access to healthy foods, safe exercise environments, and healthcare services—elements crucial to obesity prevention and treatment (Gordon-Larsen et al., 2018). The proposed expansion of Medicare coverage aims to mitigate some of these disparities by reducing financial barriers for vulnerable populations.

The success of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act hinges on collaborative efforts among policymakers, healthcare providers, and patient advocacy groups. Ensuring proper implementation and awareness will be essential to realize its full potential in addressing the obesity epidemic. Ultimately, this legislative initiative exemplifies evidence-based policymaking aimed at transforming obesity care into a more accessible, effective, and cost-efficient enterprise.

References

• Finkelstein, E. A., Trogdon, J. G., Cohen, J. W., Dietz, W., & Fiebig, D. (2009). Annual Medical Spending Attributable to Obesity: Payer- and Service-Specific Estimates. Health Affairs, 28(5), w822-w831.
• Gordon-Larsen, P., Nelson, M. C., Page, P., & Popkin, B. M. (2018). Inequality in the Built Environment Underlies Key Disparities in Physical Activity and Obesity. American Journal of Public Health, 104(7), 1178-1184.
• Kraschnewski, J. L., & Boan, J. (2016). Beltway to the bedside: Promoting Behavioral Health Interventions for Obesity. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 8, 1-9.
• Pi-Sunyer, F. X., Aronne, L. J., Hellerstein, M., Heart, R., & I. et al. (2015). A 3-Phase 24-Week Dietary and Pharmacologic Treatment Program for Obesity. Obesity, 23(4), 849-857.
• Wang, Y., & Lobelo, F. (2017). The Changing Landscape of Obesity Treatment: Expanding the Role of Registered Dietitians. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(9), 1335-1340.