A Majority of Americans Think It’s Time for Congress to Finally Address Disparities in Obesity Care
By Tammy Boyd, Black Women’s Health Imperative
COVID-19 and the nationwide reckoning over systemic racism in 2020 sparked a renewed effort to address disparities in our health system, criminal justice system, and society overall. When President Biden was campaigning, he promised to address health inequities as a top priority for the Black community and other historically marginalized communities. On his first day as President, he issued an Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, which reaffirmed that commitment to addressing longstanding disparities across the nation.
As a health equity advocate, I strongly believe that providing access to obesity care must be part of that commitment to equity. Now, new polling data shows that the majority of Americans agree.
The obesity epidemic is one of the most dire health equity issues impacting our country. One in three Americans are living with obesity, a complex, chronic disease linked to more than 200 serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Obesity is rising nationwide, and recent CDC data reveals that, since 2018, the number of states with an adult obesity prevalence of at least 35 percent has doubled.
Because of a complex mix of factors, including systematic disparities in our health care system, obesity disproportionately impacts Black communities. For example, 4 out of 5 Black women are living with obesity, the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group. Our communities face significant barriers to obesity treatment, including high costs and access to proper doctors and specialists. Throughout the pandemic, obesity was one of the top comorbidities for severe cases and death from COVID-19, which led to higher rates of death in communities of color.
Despite this, FDA-approved and clinically proven obesity care is out of reach for tens of millions of Americans because of outdated and, frankly, discriminatory Medicare rules and inaction from Congress. These rules fail to classify obesity as a complex disease and place proper treatment, including the care of nutritionists, as well as medication, out of reach. These same Medicare rules have led communities of color to disproportionately carry the costs of treating obesity. Because of this, the average person living with obesity sees nearly $1,900 in excess annual medical costs a year in addition to increased health risks.
Simply put, the impacts of obesity and barriers to care access are deeply felt by Black Americans. But, if the White House or Congress were to update Medicare to include coverage for obesity, this could be a huge step forward. New polling from Data for Progress shows strong majority support for these changes and expansion of access to obesity care. More than two-thirds of all voters support expanding Medicare to cover treatments for obesity. Among Black and Latinx voters, that number is 74 percent and 82 percent, respectively. This support among impacted communities is important, and it’s why Black Women’s Health Imperative is working to advocate for this change, especially amid conversations about historic expansions to Medicare, like dental, vision, and hearing. Data for Progress’ polling shows that Americans want obesity care to be a part of that conversation.
That’s why, as part of the Obesity Care Now campaign, we are calling on Congress to pass the bipartisanTreat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which would modernize Medicare rules and provide the full continuum of obesity care, including medication and intensive behavioral therapy. We are also calling on the Administration to take action on its own to make this simple, critical change to Medicare rules.
Make no mistake, the disparities in our healthcare system will take time to undo. Yet by expanding access to care for obesity, we can begin to advance health equity for millions of Americans living with obesity. President Biden and our Congress set forth a mandate to address disparities in our healthcare system, and it is time for them to act. The majority of Americans support these critical reforms to make our communities healthier. As advocates, we expect President Biden and the Congress to break down these barriers, expand care for those living with obesity, and get it done.
Tammy Boyd is the Chief Policy Officer & Senior Counsel for the Black Women’s Health Imperative, which is a member of the Obesity Care Advocacy Network. OCAN launched the nationwide Obesity Care Now campaign to raise awareness about obesity as a disease and push for access to obesity care now.