Ted Kyle: Medicare should cover anti-obesity medications

In countless reports and studies, obesity is often reduced to just a number: 42% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s in charts, statistics and graphs that dominate the conversation.

But what these numbers fail to capture is the reality of the millions of lives behind them — lives marked by pain, hardship and often a sense of being invisible in a health care system that seems more focused on data than human beings.

We know the statistics all too well. Obesity is linked to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and a number of cancers. These conditions cost the U.S. health care system more than $260 billion a year. The numbers paint a grim picture, but they don’t account for the experiences of the people facing these challenges.

Currently, millions of Americans living with obesity, particularly those enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, are denied coverage for anti-obesity medications, even though these treatments have been shown to reduce weight, improve overall health, prevent or manage obesity-related conditions, and for some, even extend lives.

Right now, doctors are limited in their ability to prescribe anti-obesity medications to treat this chronic disease. Existing rules were enacted 22 years ago and have failed to keep pace with the development of federally approved treatments.

Thankfully, help could be on the way.

The Trump administration is mulling a proposal to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for anti-obesity medications to help ensure that all Americans have access to the full spectrum of care they need to surmount this enemy.

These medications are not a cure-all, but they are an essential part of a comprehensive treatment plan that can help individuals regain control of their health.

For people who are enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, groups that already face significant barriers to health care, this denial of coverage means they are left with fewer options for managing their condition. These individuals are already navigating the challenges of aging, disability or financial hardship, and the addition of obesity-related health problems only exacerbates their struggles.

The idea that effective medications could be available to them, but aren’t covered due to outdated policies, is a systemic failure. The proposal under consideration by the Trump administration represents a preventative measure that can save lives and reduce the burden on individuals and the health care system at large.

There is no reason for delay.

Regulatory barriers are preventing 18 million Medicare beneficiaries from accessing this type of proven care and unlocking the full potential of these medications.

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in our nation, responsible for 400,000 annual deaths. Over the past generation, obesity rates among Americans over 65 have nearly doubled.

Finalizing this proposal will bring medical freedom and help with the goal to Make America Healthy Again. What’s more, it will save up to $245 billion over the next 10 years. It’s a no-brainer and a game-changer.

What if we could change the narrative from just a set of statistics to real stories of transformation, hope and improvement? It’s time we stop reducing obesity to just a number on a page and start treating it as what it is: a complex, chronic disease that requires comprehensive care and real solutions.

Expanding access to obesity treatments through Medicare and Medicaid is one of the most effective ways we can make a tangible difference for millions of Americans.

The data tells one story, but the real stories are those of the people who are living with obesity. Let’s act now to make those stories better, one treatment at a time.

Ted Kyle is a pharmacist and health care innovation professional who works with health and obesity experts for sound policy and innovation to address obesity. He has served on the Board of Directors and as chair of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), advises The Obesity Society on advocacy and consults with organizations addressing the needs of people living with obesity.