April 4, 2025 (Washington, DC) — In response to the decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) not to expand coverage of obesity management medications through Medicare and Medicaid, Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention (AWHP) CEO Millicent Gorham issued the following statement:
“We are deeply disappointed by CMS’ decision not to finalize the proposed rule to expand coverage of obesity management medications under Medicare Part D and Medicaid. Obesity is a chronic, yet treatable, disease that has a significant impact on Americans—and particularly American women—throughout their lives. This change would have been transformative for the millions of individuals living with obesity who rely on these programs to access needed care, and would have helped to lessen the impact of the over 200 other health complications associated with the disease.
There was broad support for this rule from stakeholders across the healthcare continuum, with experts and advocates noting the physical, social and economic benefits of broader coverage for obesity management medications.
We hope that the Administration will re-evaluate this proposal in the future as it seeks to prevent and treat serious chronic diseases impacting Americans.”
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About AWHP
The Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) non-profit organization working to ensure that all women and girls have access to high-quality preventive care. Our mission is to advance policy that drives equitable access and prevents the burden and progression of disease to improve the lives and health of all women and girls.
For more information on AWHP, please visit WomensHealthandPrevention.org and follow us on LinkedIn and X @AWHPOrg.
Media Contact: press@womenshealthandprevention.org