Friday, July 19, 2024 (Washington, DC) — In response to North Carolina Medicaid’s decision to add coverage for obesity management medications, the Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention (AWHP) CEO Millicent Gorham issued the following statement: 

“The decision by North Carolina Medicaid to add coverage for obesity management medications is a significant step forward toward expanding access to care for the nearly half of women in North Carolina living with obesity.  

Obesity is a serious chronic disease that has a significant impact on women, particularly women of color. 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 or overweight must have access to the full continuum of care options and be able to decide what interventions are best for them in partnership with their healthcare provider. 

While we applaud this decision, it also highlights the highly problematic nature of obesity coverage across the United States. For example, earlier this year, the North Carolina State Health Plan ended coverage of obesity medications for state employees. We hope other health plans—in North Carolina and beyond—will follow North Carolina Medicaid’s lead in providing needed coverage for comprehensive obesity care.  

This is a matter of health equity and it’s only fair that obesity be covered just like any other chronic disease.” 

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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