Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

Happy New Year, OAC Community! It has been a busy final few months of 2023 here at the Obesity Action Coalition, with OAC Advocates across the nation raising their voices to demand dignity and respect for people affected by obesity. We thank each one of you for your support.

We are more excited than ever for the year ahead when it comes to advocacy. Let’s build upon last year’s efforts and wins and make 2024 our most impactful yet! Read on to learn what we’ve been up to and what we have in store.

Quick Actions:

Tell your members of Congress to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act.
Take a deeper dive into weight bias – learn about the issues and take action!
- What We Fight For: Weight Bias
- Stop Weight Bias Campaign
It’s been a busy year, and OAC has sent letters and testimony across the country! Check out OAC’s recently updated Public Policy Comments.

OAC is only successful because people like you speak out for change! Stats and facts are important, but it’s patient stories that leave a lasting impact on decision-makers. We’d like to highlight and thank a few of our volunteers who recently advocated for change.

Kevin from California was the patient voice during a cHope webinar about reducing the stigma of obesity. He also joined OAC on Capitol Hill in support of TROA!
Alecia from Ohio is a first-time OAC advocate! She spoke as the patient advocate during the American Medical Women’s Association Congressional webinar on obesity and cardiac health.
Ava and Matt, veteran OAC advocates from Louisiana, represented the patient voice during the Obesity Roundtable with Representative Troy Carter.
Yolanda is a first-time OAC advocate from Oregon! She represented the patient voice during a hearing in Oregon about the increasing prices of prescriptions.
Dr. Kevin O’Toole is a new OAC advocate from Pennsylvania! His unique viewpoint as both a patient and physician was powerful during our activities on Capitol Hill. Dr. O’Toole presented on a panel during the Obesity Policy Roundtable.

Update: North Carolina

North Carolina decision-makers are considering dropping anti-obesity medications from their insurance for state employees. OAC sent a letter urging them to keep covering these life-saving medications. The next hearing is expected to be in January where OAC will continue to push for comprehensive obesity care.

Update: Louisiana and Pennsylvania

OAC patient advocates participated in Roundtable Discussions on Obesity in Louisiana and Pennsylvania. The roundtables were an important first step in finding the gaps in obesity care and ensuring that patients can access obesity treatments.

Update: Oregon

Oregon hosted its annual hearing on the increasing prices of prescription medications. OAC submitted written and oral testimony, and two OAC patient advocates shared their story of why comprehensive coverage of obesity treatments is important and how the high cost of medicine impacts their ability to get the care they need.

OAC Advocacy in Action!

To celebrate GivingTuesday, OAC brought 18 advocates to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to share their stories and discuss the need to improve access to obesity care. The group broke into teams that attended 32 total meetings with Senators and Representatives from 16 different states. OAC also put out a “call to action” that week and had members across the country sending letters to their representatives, and with your help, over 2,000 letters were sent that week! Since those meetings and letters, 14 new members of the House and one new member of the Senate have signed on as cosponsors to the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA). That’s Advocacy in Action!

Obesity Policy Roundtable in Washington, D.C.

OAC joined forces with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) to co-host an obesity policy roundtable in D.C. The roundtable brought leaders from federal agencies and Capitol Hill to talk about opportunities and barriers to obesity care in government programs. This was the first time so many leaders from different parts of government came together to have a real conversation about what's working and what needs to change in order to improve access to obesity care.

OAC continues to work on access to care and bias across the country. Click here to urge your state decision-makers to prioritize obesity care!

Advocacy Victories - OAC's Advocacy Efforts Are Making A Difference Across the Country!

Thanks to your advocacy, TROA has 15 new cosponsors since OAC’s Hill Day and week of action.
Anti-obesity medications will be added to the preferred drug list starting in 2024 for Illinois Medicaid. Click here to read OAC's written testimony.
Massachusetts has removed the prohibition on anti-obesity medications for MassHealth Medicaid patients. Click here to read OAC's written testimony.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services maintained laparoscopic gastric sleeve and laparoscopic gastric bypass on the inpatient list for 2024. Click here to read OAC's joint testimony.
After OAC outreach, the Congressional Budget Office has agreed to update its blog to use People-first Language.

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.
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.

Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences