Obesity doctor calls for end to stigma with federal act and better treatment options | Opinion

For many of us with obesity, it’s not a choice. It’s a chronic disease that is oftentimes not treated as other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. Barriers to treatment exist because of lack of access and cost of treatments and stigma and shame that patients with obesity face.

Ever since childhood, I have struggled with obesity. In fact, my pediatrician prescribed me an appetite suppressant. Having two parents whose lives were cut short by obesity and its many co-morbidities, I was determined not to follow their same path. On three occasions, I lost 100, 80 and 70 pounds only to regain most of the weight. As a retired obesity medicine physician, I understand obesity more than most and I know that it’s not a choice. So at age 51, I had severe obesity and decided to have gastric bypass surgery and as a result, successfully lost 100 pounds and have kept it off for over 20 years.

Since then, with the help of innovative obesity medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, I’ve been able to lose and keep off another 20 pounds. Even with coverage from my private health insurance, these medicines can be expensive and cost-prohibitive to a majority of the population. Current federal regulations even prohibit the use of manufacturer’s discount coupons and programs covering weight loss medications for anyone receiving Medicare benefits.

This is why I have been advocating for the passage of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (H.R. 4818/S.2407) at the federal level. While Medicare currently provides coverage for some obesity treatments – intensive behavioral therapy and bariatric surgery – it does not cover these FDA-approved medications for obesity. This legislation will provide more treatment options for Medicare beneficiaries, such as obesity medication coverage, and finally update Medicare policy so that it is consistent with how other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, are treated and managed.

Obesity currently affects approximately 40% of Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S., and studies have shown that with broad coverage of obesity medicines (OMs) in Medicare Part D, Medicare would save $176 billion over 10 years. Savings result from reducing hospitalizations, surgeries, doctors’ visits and other medical needs that will be realized from a healthier Medicare population.

At the end of June, the House Ways and Means Committee overwhelmingly passed TROA out of committee. This was in large part due to the leadership of Missouri’s own Representative Jason Smith, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee.

The recognition that obesity is not a choice is a huge step forward. Let’s continue to encourage our elected officials that the time is now to ensure access to these ground-breaking treatments for the Medicare population and to pass TROA in both the House and Senate. We should express our appreciation to Congressman Jason Smith for his leadership on such an important issue and encourage other Congressional members to follow his example.

Dr. Robert Huster is a retired gynecologist and bariatric medicine specialist in Liberty, Missouri. He served as Chairman of the American Board of Bariatric Medicine (ABBM) from 1997-1999 and as a director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) from 2012-2018.

This story was originally published September 26, 2024 at 5:09 AM.