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Welcome to the inaugural edition of ImpactNOW: the Obesity Action Coalition's Quarterly Advocacy Update! Here at OAC, we are hard at work advocating at the state and federal levels for the rights of people affected by obesity, from fighting for access to obesity care to eliminating weight bias. In the first issue of this newsletter, we'll give you the rundown on how, with the support of our OAC Community, we're making the world a better place for people with obesity! Read on to learn about recent victories in New York City and Connecticut and OAC's ongoing advocacy at the state and federal levels.

Quick Actions:

Urge your representatives to expand access to treatment in your state.
Connecticut residents, send a thank you note to your representatives.
Take quick but meaningful actions through the OAC Action Center.

Victory: Connecticut

OAC advocates played a critical role in the expansion of obesity coverage in Connecticut, including Medicaid and Husky B coverage of anti-obesity medications, nutritional counseling, and expanded eligibility for bariatric surgery! OAC advocates made their voices heard, sending an all-time record of 2,277 letters to key decision-makers, which helped push this effort to the finish line!

But we're not finished yet! Connecticut residents, click here to send a thank you note to your representative. All other members, click here to urge your representatives to expand access to treatment in your state.

Victory: New York City

New York City recently passed a bill to ban weight-based discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations! Currently, only one state and a handful of cities protect residents from weight-based discrimination. OAC applauds NYC for its leadership on this issue and will work with other states and cities to follow its lead in creating a better world for people with obesity. Learn more.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)

OAC continues to fight for the reintroduction of TROA. OAC President Joe Nadglowski and Immediate-past Chair Patty Nece presented during a briefing on Capitol Hill to increase awareness of the need for access to care and lend support for the reintroduction of TROA in 2023.

Click here to urge your representatives to support expanding access to obesity care!

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

OAC is advocating for people with obesity to the FDA Commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf. OAC will be meeting with the FDA Commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, to discuss the inclusion of people living with obesity in drug clinical trials, concerns about the sale of unregulated GLP-1 treatments from compounding pharmacies, and updating the FDA guidance on new drug development for obesity treatments.

OAC continues to advocate for expanding access to care and stopping weight bias across the country:

Fighting for state employee coverage: OAC is currently working to expand coverage for state employees in Wisconsin and Texas.
Fighting for Medicaid coverage: OAC is advocating for Medicaid coverage in Tennessee, Massachusetts and Ohio.
Fighting to end weight-based discrimination: OAC is advocating to stop weight bias in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey and New York.
Click here to take action in your state.

YWM2023-Engage Convention: Save the Date

Register Today!

OAC’s in-person annual Convention, Your Weight Matters ENGAGE, is coming up on September 21-23, 2023, in Orlando, FL! Our Advocacy 101 training, where we'll help you understand the legislative advocacy process and show you how easy it is to get involved in creating change, will take place on Thursday, September 21, at 1:00 pm ET.

Learn More

Get Involved!

Report an issue about access to care or weight bias.
Learn how to get started with advocacy.
Learn how obesity is affecting your state.
Join the OAC Community as a Premium Access Member for exclusive resources and event discounts.
Help us make the world a kinder, more inclusive place for people with obesity by supporting our mission.

Obesity Action Coalition
4511 North Himes Ave., Suite 250 | Tampa, Florida 33614
(800) 717-3117 | [email protected]

The Obesity Action Coalition is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating and empowering individuals affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support. We work to raise awareness of and eliminate weight bias and discrimination in healthcare, education, media and the workplace; fight to improve access to science-based treatment and care of obesity for those who choose to seek it; and provide support through education and community events.

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