We are days away from the September 30 deadline for two issues important to our members: funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).
TAKE ACTION:Using our online campaign tool, join the Endocrine Society in urging Congress to complete the FY24 appropriations process and reauthorize SDP.It’s critical that every member of Congress hears from their constituents about the importance of addressing these two issues before the September 30 deadline.
This week, the Endocrine Society hosted a briefing to educate members of Congress and their staff about anti-obesity medications (AOMs). The briefing featured two Endocrine Society members who have expertise in treating obesity. Dr. Jonathan Purnell, Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Sciences University, provided attendees with an overview of AOMs, how they work, and the barriers to access. Dr. Rocio Pereira, Director of the Office of Health Equity and Chief of Endocrinology at Denver Health, spoke about the health inequities that exist in obesity treatment and care. The briefing was part of the Society’s ongoing effort to educate Congress about the obesity epidemic supported by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company In the past year, we have conducted several Congressional briefings on different topics related to obesity and released an Obesity Playbook, which offers a “101” education about obesity for congressional staff. You can click here to watch a recording of the briefing.
Prior to our briefing, the House Energy & Commerce Health subcommittee conducted a hearing to discuss the bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which would take steps to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the full range of obesity treatment options. The bill would remove Medicare restrictions pertaining to Intensive Behavioral Therapy (IBT), which is an effective lifestyle intervention for obesity that includes dietary and nutrition assessment to promote weight loss. TROA would also ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can access FDA approved anti-obesity medications, which are scientifically proven to be effective at treating obesity. Medicare is currently prohibited from covering anti-obesity medications and legislative action is needed to give Medicare the authority to cover these medications.
The Endocrine Society endorsed TROA when it was introduced, and we continue to work with the bill’s cosponsors to garner support. The Society also released a joint statement with the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) in support of TROA, which was submitted to the Energy & Commerce Committee record.
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