Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023

This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner.

The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.

Bill 118 hr 4818, also known as the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023, aims to address the growing issue of obesity in the United States. The bill recognizes obesity as a chronic disease and seeks to improve access to care and treatment for individuals struggling with obesity.

One key provision of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to support healthcare providers in implementing evidence-based obesity treatment and prevention programs. These programs would focus on promoting healthy behaviors, such as diet and exercise, and providing access to medical interventions, such as weight loss medications and bariatric surgery.

Additionally, the bill calls for the creation of a national obesity task force to coordinate efforts across federal agencies and develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing obesity. This task force would be responsible for conducting research, collecting data, and making recommendations to improve obesity prevention and treatment efforts. Overall, the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 aims to increase awareness of obesity as a serious health issue, improve access to care and treatment options, and ultimately reduce the prevalence of obesity in the United States.