With Nearly Half of all Black and Hispanic Americans Combating Obesity, Legislation Would Significantly Expand Medicare Coverage of Obesity Treatment for Communities of Color Disproportionately Impacted by the Obesity Epidemic

June 5, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Health Equity Coalition for Chronic Disease (HECCD) applauds Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) for introducing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) in the U.S. Senate. This critical piece of legislation will take an important step towards combating the obesity epidemic and treating chronic disease by expanding access to life-saving therapies under Medicare. The obesity epidemic is among the worst public health crises in the U.S. and one that disproportionately burdens communities of color, with nearly half of Black and Latino adults suffering from obesity. 

This bill would significantly expand coverage for obesity care under Medicare, most notably by providing coverage for anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and expanding provider options for intensive behavioral therapies (IBT). This bill would help ensure that older adults can maintain access to obesity treatments as they age into Medicare and expand access to others who currently face barriers to care. 

HECCD has long advocated for the passage of TROA, and we are encouraged by the broad, bipartisan support the bill has received in Congress.  In light of the Administration’s recent decision not to expand Medicare coverage of AOMs, it is now more important than ever that Congress pass this consequential legislation to ensure that these revolutionary and life-saving treatments are available to all.