Take Action! Urge Your State Decision Makers to Prioritize Obesity Coverage!

Background:

Despite increased scientific understanding of the disease of obesity, many policymakers and society as a whole continue to view obesity as a lifestyle choice or personal failing. These attitudes are rooted in bias – not science – and have failed us. There are evidence-based, FDA-approved treatments for people with obesity that mitigate the impacts of the disease and improve health outcomes. But our system remains fractured and coverage options for obesity treatments are only available for a lucky few who live in the right zip code or work for the right employer.

Take Action Now:

During Obesity Care Week, urge your Governor and State Representatives to review coverage of evidence-based obesity treatment options in your state’s health plans, including Medicaid, plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and state employee plans. Each of these plans should offer behavioral, nutrition and mental health counseling for obesity as well as access to FDA approved anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery when appropriate. It is important that plans offer all these services without significant barriers as comprehensive care is the key to success in addressing obesity.

It’s Easy to Advocate!

Use our easy automated message generator below to get started. Legislators also want to how these issues have impacted you, so we strongly encourage you to add your personal story to the letter template to help them better understand the need for greater access to critical obesity treatment tools.