Obesity doesn’t only impact our overall public health, the consequence of ignoring this epidemic is growing more expensive every day. It is taking a toll on our health care system and our economy through productivity losses. Overall, obesity and overweight related costs account for $1.72 trillion, which is 9. 3 % of the U.S. gross domestic product. And, estimates for national productivity losses range from $13.4 to $26.8 billion.
One of the primary reasons we continue to face this ongoing crisis is because Americans living obesity don’t have access to the proper treatments, care, and support needed to fight the disease. Even though the CDC and AMA recognize obesity as a disease, too often society treats obesity as a personal choice and not a treatable medical condition. The stigma
surrounding obesity leaves individuals to fight for themselves. To address this issue, we need to enact regulations that ensures patients have access to the treatments and resources they need including anti-obesity medications.
By treating obesity, we can lower the rate of associated diseases and lower healthcare costs. A new study from the University of California
Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics found that Medicare coverage of AOMs would generate about $175 billion in Medicare cost offsets in the first ten years of coverage. After thirty years of coverage, the offsets would increase to $700 billion. Combining the individual impact of AOM coverage with the potential savings to our health care system, we can no longer afford to wait.
Leaders in Washington have been working on making expanding access to these and other treatments for years. We can no longer wait. We have ignored the obesity epidemic for far too long and we are now at a turning point. We must use this moment to reinvest in health care for our communities. We need our Congressional leaders to work with the administration on Medicare coverage policy updates that will help the millions of Americans who need access to lifesaving care by making these medications available through Medicare Part D.
Marcurious Byrd
Columbia, SC
