Thursday, October 24, 2024 (Washington, DC) — In response to New York City’s decision to drop coverage for obesity medications for city employees and their dependents, the Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention (AWHP) CEO Millicent Gorham issued the following statement:
“New York City’s decision to remove coverage for GLP-1s for weight loss under the EmblemHealth plan is extremely concerning, particularly given a quarter of adults in New York City are living with obesity. Obesity is a serious chronic disease with causes that include those outside of an individual’s control. It is also connected to over 200 other health complications, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Obesity medications are a critical component of comprehensive obesity care, alongside counseling or intensive behavioral therapy, behavior modification and physical activity, weight loss surgeries and nutrition or dietician services. People living with obesity deserve coverage for the full continuum of care options and the ability to make informed decisions about what tools are best for them, working in close partnership with their healthcare provider.
To deny coverage of an evidence-based obesity care option for nearly 1,000 city workers and their dependents who rely on them as a part of their health care is also an issue of health equity, as obesity has a significant impact on women, particularly women of color. It is only fair that obesity be covered just like any other chronic disease.
AWHP encourages those impacted by this decision to raise their voices and advocate for coverage of the obesity care they deserve with their employers and policymakers.”
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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