As our nation grapples with the alarming rise of diabetes and chronic diseases linked to obesity, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. The need for proactive measures to stem this tide has never been more urgent.

With Medicare’s recent extension of coverage for anti-obesity medications for individuals at risk of heart attack and stroke, we have taken a meaningful step forward. However, to truly address the root causes of this epidemic and improve the health futures for millions of Americans, we must go further.

The stigma that someone carrying excess weight lacks sufficient self-discipline or willpower to maintain a healthier weight persists. This myth is not only hurtful, but also reinforced in health policies that are preventing people from accessing lifesaving medications.

The medical community has long recognized obesity as a chronic disease whose causes are complex, multi-factored and increasingly understood to be strongly influenced by genetics at birth.

Obesity disproportionately impacts people of color and historically underrepresented communities, with nearly half of all Black Americans and Latino Americans living with the disease. American Indians and Alaska Natives are also 50% more likely than white Americans to live with obesity.

However, with more than 3 in 10 Oregonians and over 100 million Americans identified as overweight or obese, no community is immune. A different approach to this epidemic is desperately needed. Fortunately, there has never been more promise in effective weight management medications and therapies.

Semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are wildly popular with people who can afford to pay out of pocket and are often being used for cosmetic purposes. On average, semaglutide without insurance coverage costs over $800 per month, but with insurance, rates drop as low as $25.

Unfortunately, despite the growing body of research demonstrating the effectiveness of these anti-obesity medications, they remain out of reach for the vast majority of people with medical conditions that could be improved with access to these treatments.

Worse, Medicare’s outdated policy explicitly bans coverage for AOMs and is worsening health inequities — where healthy and well-off people enjoy greater access to these medications than people with significant medical need.

This is not a problem that will fix itself. Despite being a preventable and treatable disease, the obesity epidemic has become one of the most pressing public health crises facing our nation. One significant and alarming barrier to effective obesity treatment is the lack of training and awareness among physicians.

On average medical schools spend just 10 hours teaching obesity education to medical students. This deficiency results in health care professionals being ill-equipped to address the complexities of obesity and its management. It also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive education and training initiatives to ensure that health care providers can effectively support patients in their weight management journey.

Congress and state governments must advance policies that expand access to FDA-approved AOMs to those most in need. A stumbling block to progress remains the perceived costs of implementing AOM coverage through Medicare. It is true that there is an upfront investment cost to updating Medicare policy to better align with goals to reduce obesity and related chronic diseases.

However, this is an investment with long-term dividends as a National Institute of Health (NIH) study examining this question found significant long-term cost savings to Medicare compared to continuing current policy.

The Oregon Medical Association and Mercer, the state’s health benefits consultant, reached the similar conclusion in recommending that the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) consider options to cover AOMs to better meet patient needs, improve health outcomes, and set a prudent fiscal course to reinforce our healthcare system.

As co-founder of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber and President of our family-owned wellness company, I have dedicated my career to promoting the health and prosperity of my community, especially those seeking to overcome barriers to success.

The simple truth is we can no longer afford to “treat” obesity with policies that perpetuate the stigma and increasing incidences of obesity. Congress and state elected officials and regulators must take bold action to expand equitable access to life-saving medications and treatments.

Please join in this call to action.