Tuesday, November 26, 2024 (Washington, DC) — In response to the Biden-Harris Administration’s proposal to expand coverage of obesity medications through Medicare and Medicaid, Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention (AWHP) CEO Millicent Gorham issued the following statement:
“We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration’s proposal for Medicare and Medicaid to expand coverage for obesity medications. This action is a crucial step forward in recognizing obesity as the serious, yet treatable, chronic disease that it is and ensuring beneficiaries can access needed care. The rule would expand access to obesity medications for the millions of Medicare and Medicaid enrollees living with obesity.
We know that obesity has a significant impact on women—particularly women of color—across every stage of life. The disease is associated with over 200 other serious health complications, such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as those that especially impact women, such as breast cancer and fertility issues. But insurance barriers often place the full range of obesity care options—particularly medications—out of reach for many Americans.
Currently, Medicare is prohibited from covering obesity medications for weight loss, only 15 state Medicaid programs offer this coverage, and less than half of employers cover these medications for obesity, though this number is expected to grow.
Now, the responsibility of ensuring comprehensive coverage of obesity care will be passed to the incoming Trump-Vance Administration, who will ultimately decide whether to enact this change. It is our sincere hope that chronic diseases like obesity are a focus of the incoming administration, and we look forward to working with them to finalize and implement this rule.
While this is a meaningful step forward for Americans who get their coverage through Medicare and Medicaid, policymakers, employers, and health plans must continue to work together to support women’s health and ensure that everybody has coverage for comprehensive obesity care, no matter how they receive their health insurance.”
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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