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Welcome to OAC’s quarterly advocacy newsletter, ImpactNOW! It has been an exciting few months here at Obesity Action Coalition. OAC works to expand access to care and stop weight bias at the state and federal levels. We are also building partnerships, gathering with our supporters at the Your Weight Matters Convention, and training our members. Read on for the latest news and ways to get involved!

Quick Actions:

Take Action - tell your members of Congress to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act at obesityaction.org/troa.
Learn more about OAC’s Policy Priorities.
Check out OAC’s new Policy Position Statements.
Learn how to advocate using OAC’s resources.
Are you a healthcare provider, nonprofit or university? If so, lend your voice in support of OAC’s work by becoming a Champion. Click here to learn more.

New: Advocacy Campaigns

OAC is launching state advocacy work in California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Tennessee in 2024! Our work will train volunteers to help expand access to care and stop weight bias. OAC will build support for change and boost your voice for better treatment for people with obesity. If you live in one of these states and want to get involved, please email [email protected].

Victory: Illinois

Victory! Illinois expanded Medicaid coverage to include anti-obesity medications (AOMs) beginning in January 2024. The OAC has worked hard in Illinois to make sure that people can access the treatments they need. We are thrilled that our voices have been heard!

Update: Access to Care

OAC continues to fight to improve the quality of Medicaid coverage for people living with obesity. Hurdles in accessing care are based on outdated opinions, not science. OAC began a new push in Kansas and Virginia to accomplish this goal.

Victory: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

OAC met with the FDA in July, and after that meeting, they announced plans to update guidelines for drug makers. We think that this will change the focus toward improving health and away from weight-loss. This is great news for our community! OAC will alert you when the guidelines have been updated.

Update: Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act is gaining ground! TROA was discussed in a committee meeting where our allies pushed for change. The bill now has 46 cosponsors in the House and 15 cosponsors in the Senate! OAC continues to encourage more members of Congress to support TROA.

Take action now by telling your member of Congress to support TROA! If you would like to join the OAC team in meeting with your representatives, please email [email protected].

New: White Paper on Anti-obesity Medications (AOMs)

OAC, The Obesity Society (TOS) and Manatt Health released a new white paper on AOMs and Medicare. It found that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is able to remove the Medicare ban of AOMs. We know that change can come in many ways. This opens the door for OAC to work in new ways to expand coverage of obesity treatments!

Click here to read OAC’s recent blog about this issue.

OAC continues to work on access to care and bias across the country. We added five new states to our advocacy efforts: Medicaid expansion in Arizona, Kansas, Illinois, and Virginia and comprehensive coverage in Minnesota. Click here to urge your state decision-makers to prioritize obesity care!

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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