Treat and Reduce Obesity Act gaining momentum

More than 100 members in the House of Representatives and 10 members of the Senate are supporting the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, according to a press release from the Obesity Action Coalition.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) is aimed at providing Medicare beneficiaries with more treatment tools to help address overweight and obesity.

“We are very excited to have more than 100 legislators supporting the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2015,” Joe Nadglowski, president and CEO of the Obesity Action Coalition, said in the release. “Each day we’re learning more and more that obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease requiring a comprehensive all-of-the-above treatment plan. Having this level of support truly demonstrates the importance of this legislation on a national level.”

The ACT would allow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand existing benefits for intensive behavioral counseling. It would also lift the restriction on FDA-approved prescription drugs for chronic weight management.

“This is a very exciting time for changes in health care,” Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA, chairman of the Obesity Action Coalition, said in the release. “A proper way to celebrate Medicare’s Golden Anniversary would be to ensure the program doesn’t place treatment restrictions on the most common disease, obesity, within the program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have openly expressed that it is important for them to explore ways to keep Medicare and Medicaid strong for the next 50 years. With this in mind, it is crucial that we advocate to our elected officials regarding obesity and its treatments. The most important action individuals affected by obesity, and those caring for individuals affected, can do is to contact their legislators in Congress and ask for passage of TROA.”