Op-Ed: We must take action to combat obesity
Matt Adams of Gastonia, NC
With nearly half of the American population suffering from obesity, we must take action to combat this rising health epidemic. Nearly 93 million estimated Americans are affected by obesity and its ripple effects. In the next five years, it’s predicted this number will rise to 120 million. At some point, the obesity epidemic will affect Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, it’s reported there is financial benefit in treating Americans suffering from obesity using cost-offsets that Medicare and Medicaid could accrue if these medications were covered.
Despite the growing consensus and greater understanding of the disease, many people continue to view obesity as a lifestyle choice or personal failure. It’s important to understand obesity is not a choice… it’s a chronic disease that affects every layer of a patient’s life. It leads to, or is the underlying cause, of numerous other chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, certain types of cancer, and many other health complications. So many people right here in North Carolina suffer from the spillover effects of obesity and the other diseases associated with obesity. Medicare covers treatment costs for other diseases. It should extend its coverage to a fuller spectrum, including anti-obesity medications. Tackling the problem head-on would very likely lead to less of these underlying conditions.
Moving forward, the Trump Administration should adopt, implement, and finalize the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed rule to allow FDA-approved, anti-obesity medication coverage. Research shows coverage for obesity treatments could generate nearly $175 billion in cost offsets to Medicare within the first decade. In the next 30 years, cost offsets could increase to $700 billion. Medicare spends about $50 billion per year on obesity-related diseases. As of 2019, a Medicare beneficiary suffering from obesity costs approximately $2,018 more than a healthy weight beneficiary. The government is at a crossroads… they can cover the treatments or later grapple with the very expensive effects.
One simple way to reduce costs later is to prioritize preventative care. Prescription weight loss medications have proven to be safe and effective. While there is ultimately no way around these costs, treating obesity early will certainly help reduce them. Healthcare providers can appropriately diagnose and treat obesity like a disease, just like any other chronic disease. It is proven that anti-obesity medications are delivering greater improvements for people living with obesity compared to lifestyle interventions alone. Sometimes, for some patients, diet and exercise isn’t enough.
Obesity impacts approximately 42% of American adults. Related costs hover around $1.4 trillion each year. Weight-loss improves physical functioning, offers mental health benefits, curbs healthcare costs, and potentially increases the longevity of a patient’s life. It seems like a win-win situation for the Trump Administration to finalize the proposed CMS rule and make anti-obesity medications available and more affordable for those who need it most. I hope the new administration understands the importance of access to quality care for improving patient outcomes, and I urge North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation to support this proposal. With FDA-approved, evidence-based treatments available for those suffering from obesity, there are ways to more easily mitigate this problem and improve the health of millions of Americans.
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