Obesity care in the United States is standing at a crossroads—and healthcare professionals are feeling the strain more than anyone. Despite rapid advancements in evidence-based treatments, millions of Medicare beneficiaries remain locked out of comprehensive obesity care due to outdated statutory limitations.
Obesity: A Chronic Disease That Can No Longer Be Treated as an Afterthought
More than 100 million Americans currently live with obesity, and projections suggest that by 2030, nearly half of U.S. adults will meet the criteria for the disease. For older adults, the stakes are especially high. Obesity is a major risk factor for:
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In a population already managing multiple comorbidities, untreated obesity compounds complexity, cost, and mortality.
Clinicians know this well—and yet Medicare’s current policies often make evidence-based care difficult or impossible to deliver.
Where Medicare Policy Falls Short
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) has been reintroduced in the 119th Congress! This bill would expand Medicare coverage to include intensive behavioral therapy provided by a broader range of qualified professionals—such as registered dietitians, nurse practitioners, and non–primary care physicians—when coordinated with a referring provider. It also proposes coverage for FDA-approved obesity medications, helping millions gain access to comprehensive, evidence-based treatment. At present, 17 states support this bill, but Florida is not among them. No Florida lawmakers have agreed to cosponsor TROA, so it’s crucial for your voice to be heard in Florida.
Take Action: Utilize the Obesity Action Coalition’s (OAC) advocacy tool to write to your representatives and encourage them to support the passage of TROA.
The ASMBS Access to Care Committee has prioritized advocacy efforts in Florida and South Carolina to support the inclusion of mandated obesity treatment as an essential health benefit. This approach mirrors recent legislative actions in Arkansas—specifically Act 628 (HB1424) and HB1332, which require health insurance plans to provide coverage for certain medically necessary obesity treatments beginning January 1, 2026.
Take Action: If you are interested in advancing the initiative, contact us at info@asmbsflorida.com
Why Clinicians’ Voices Are Essential
Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to articulate the clinical realities of obesity:
By supporting TROA, clinicians can help ensure that older adults receive the same standard of care we expect for other chronic diseases.
The Bottom Line
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act is not merely a legislative update—it is a long-overdue recognition of modern obesity medicine. The bill would allow healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and equitable obesity care to millions of Medicare beneficiaries.
For states like Florida, where no lawmakers have yet stepped forward to support TROA, clinician advocacy is essential.
The tools exist. The evidence is strong. Now we need the policy.