December 24, 2025

Washington, D.C. — The Health Equity Coalition for Chronic Disease (HECCD) released the below statement following the announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that it is launching a new voluntary test of a model designed to enable Medicare Part D plans and state Medicaid agencies to cover GLP-1 medications.

“For too long, people living with obesity — particularly people living in rural communities, older Americans, and people of color who are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions — have struggled to access anti-obesity medications that can dramatically improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of serious, costly conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Today’s announcement by CMS represents a positive step forward in treating obesity as the chronic disease it is and also recognizing the urgent need to expand access to evidence-based treatment for millions of Americans. While this is undoubtedly an important step in the right direction — moving our healthcare system toward greater access and affordability — we also recognize that demonstration authority alone does not guarantee access, and that states will still need to opt in to these coverage structures. We encourage Medicare Part D plans and state leaders to take action and to continue prioritizing solutions like these that put the health of millions of Americans first.

“We look forward to reviewing the full details of CMS’s proposal and continuing to engage with federal and state leaders to ensure that any demonstration meaningfully expands access, prioritizes equity, and reflects the realities that those suffering with obesity face on the ground.”

Obesity’s Toll on Americans

Obesity is a costly epidemic that takes a $170 billion toll on our nation annually, and it’s getting worse: An estimated 42% of American adults are currently living with obesity and some studies estimate that more than half of Americans will be living with obesity by 2030. Despite it being designated a chronic disease for well over a decade, obesity is treated differently by Medicare and Medicaid, which do not provide the clinical standard of care that millions of Americans deserve. Treatment professionals should have every tool in the toolbox — from intensive behavioral therapy around diet and exercise and medication treatment or surgery as appropriate — to improve the health of older Americans living with obesity.

This is why nearly 20,000 grassroots advocates from across the country joined with HECCD earlier this year in calling on CMS to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage to include critical, FDA-approved anti-obesity medications. Our coalition — and the vast network of grassroots supporters we’ve built across all 50 states — are actively working with leaders in the administration, in Congress, and in state legislatures to improve the health of millions of Americans living with obesity.