Media Highlights Healthcare Leaders’ Concerns Surrounding CMS’ OMM Coverage Decision

Following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision not to move forward with a proposal to expand coverage for obesity management medications (OMMs) under Medicare and Medicaid, healthcare leaders and advocates spoke out, emphasizing the critical role of OMMs in addressing obesity as a chronic disease and improving overall health outcomes.  

A statement from EveryBODY Covered convener, the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention (AWHP), was featured in Fierce Healthcare, MedCity News, and Healthcare Brew. In her comments, AWHP CEO Millicent Gorham highlighted the significant burden obesity places on women and the potential positive impact expanded access to care would have on those who need it:  

“Obesity is a chronic, yet treatable, disease that has a significant impact on Americans—and particularly American women — throughout their lives. This change would have been transformative for the millions of individuals living with obesity who rely on these programs to access needed care and would have helped to lessen the impact of the over 200 other health complications associated with the disease.” 

Many other prominent voices stated their concerns with CMS’ decision as well, calling it a missed opportunity to advance equity in obesity care.