Tampa, Fla., June 3, 2024—The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and the STOP Obesity Alliance are proud to announce the release of the “Medicaid Obesity Treatment Coverage Study.” This study is the first to analyze and investigate levels of state Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment options, beyond whether a benefit was covered or not. Healthcare plans
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This May, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), along with 57 other signing organizations, delivered a letter to the Biden Administration urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide access to comprehensive obesity care. The OAC sign-on letter urges HHS and CMS to
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Tampa, FL, May 28, 2024 – This week, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), along with 57 other organizations, delivered a letter to the Biden Administration to call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide access to comprehensive obesity care. The letter to
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To kick off Women’s Health Month, OAC’s own Director of Policy Strategy and Alliances Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, MS, RN, and Immediate-past Chair Patty Nece, JD, participated in Exploring Obesity’s Impact on Women and Policy’s Role in Improving Outcomes, an insightful panel discussion hosted by Society for Women’s Health Research. The discussion focused on understanding and
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The Obesity Action Coalition, the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health and more than 40 healthcare and advocacy organizations are urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand coverage and access to semaglutide for the treatment of obesity. We applaud CMS’s recent decision to cover obesity medications for patients with existing, high-risk cardiovascular
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It has been quite a busy week here at the Obesity Action Coalition! To kick off this Season of Giving, we headed to Washington, D.C., for a jam-packed week of activities. From engaging with policymakers to advocating for better access to obesity care, the OAC and our Community spent the Week of GivingTuesday elevating and
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This week, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont approved a bill that expands Medicaid and Husky B coverage for prescription weight-loss drugs, nutrition counseling and bariatric surgery. This will give patients and healthcare providers more tools on their journey to improved health. Connecticut ranks 39th in states impacted by obesity. More than 30% of adults in Connecticut
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This week, New York City legislators approved a bill banning weight-based discrimination. New York ranks 42nd in states impacted by obesity. More than 29% of adults in New York have obesity, and almost 35% of adults have overweight. (Learn more from our  New York State Fact Sheet). Weight bias is defined as holding negative attitudes
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Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) calls on all Ohio residents to take action today to expand access to care. Join us in urging the Ohio Senate Finance Committee and Senate Leadership to support and pass House Bill 33, which includes language to expand coverage for comprehensive obesity treatments under Medicaid. OAC applauds the inclusion of comprehensive
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We all experience different struggles in life, but we can use those experiences to connect to others and drive change where change is needed. That’s what fuels Jaime Fivecoat, MBA, former OAC Board Member and active OAC volunteer, in her decades-long journey with patient advocacy. Learn more about Jaime below and all the challenging yet
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This week, Delaware legislators approved coverage for anti-obesity medications for state employees. Delaware ranks 25th in states impacted by obesity. Almost 34% of adults in Delaware have obesity, and almost 35% of adults have overweight. (Learn more from our Delaware Obesity Fact Sheet). The Obesity Action Coalition believes that obesity is a complex, chronic disease
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An Interview with Chris Gallagher, OAC’s Policy Consultant For Chris Gallagher, advocating for people affected by obesity is a full-time job. He spends his workdays meeting with government officials in Washington, DC., educating policymakers, and advocating to improve the way society understands and treats obesity. As a policy consultant for the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC),
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