Good morning,
As the largest and oldest national professional and scientific organization representing the interests of more than 50,000 African American physicians and the patients they serve in the United States, the National Medical Association (NMA), is committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and disadvantaged people through its membership, professional development, community health education, advocacy, research, and partnerships with federal and private agencies. It is through this lens that we seek to find solutions for the most pressing health issues that impact our patients, one of which is obesity.
Our President-Elect, Dr. Virginia Caine, and the NMA want to express our excitement and support of the passing of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) through the Ways and Means Committee on June 27, 2024. This crucial legislation to authorize obesity care coverage and to expand care to grant Medicare recipients access to Anti-Obesity Medicine through Medicare Part D shows the sheer commitment congress has to expanded health care. This bi-partisan legislation has been introduced in every Congress since 2013 and has languished, making today a large stride in obesity care as the obesity rate continues to climb to epidemic proportions.
In light of this, NMA is excited to share an Op-Ed, authored by Dr. Caine, recently published in The Grio. Obesity is more prevalent in the Black community than in any other demographic group in the United States. A staggering 49.9 percent Non-Hispanic Black adults live with obesity. For Black women, the obesity problem is far worse: approximately four out of every five Black women are living with overweight/obesity, the highest rate of any group in the U.S. Unfortunately, obesity, is known to lead to many other comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, numerous forms of cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. Each of these diseases and conditions have a high prevalence in the Black community and the cost to health care spending is astronomical.
By passing legislation like TROA, we have an opportunity to make a big difference to the lives of millions of Americans. We ask that you continue to work with your fellow members to take the necessary steps to support the advancement of this legislation as it moves through the remainder of the legislative process. It is critical that we enact the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, to achieve comprehensive obesity care this Congress. Our community does not have time to wait as health outcomes decrease while health care costs rise. We are literally paying the price with our lives.
Thank you for your advocacy and you have the National Medical Association’s continued support in this endeavor.
