Dear Editor,
President Trump Can Take a Huge Step to Combat the Obesity Crisis and Save Medicare Billions!
Obesity is a complex, chronic, and costly disease that affects nearly half of American adults, placing millions at risk for serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. The financial toll on our healthcare system is staggering. According to the CDC, the direct medical cost of obesity was estimated at $173 billion annually in 2019. The need for effective treatment options has never been more urgent.
Fortunately, anti-obesity medications (AOMs) have emerged as a game-changer in the fight against obesity. These FDA-approved medications have already helped millions of Americans achieve healthier weights, reduce comorbidities, and improve their quality of life. However, a major barrier remains: Medicare does not currently cover these medications as a treatment for obesity, leaving many seniors and other beneficiaries without access to these life-changing medicines.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule that would change this, allowing Medicare to cover AOMs as part of a comprehensive approach to treating obesity. South Carolina ranks 11th in the Nation with 36% of our residents suffering from obesity. Senator Tim Scott is in a key position in Washington to help make this proposal a reality, ensuring that all Americans—especially those on Medicare—have access to the treatments they need.
Obesity is not a matter of willpower; it is a medical condition that requires evidence-based interventions. While lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise play a crucial role, they are often insufficient for those with severe obesity. AOMs work by addressing biological factors that contribute to weight gain and retention, offering patients an additional tool to manage their condition effectively. Denying coverage for these medications under Medicare contradicts the broader goal of improving public health and reducing long-term healthcare costs.
It makes financial sense to cover these medications. The cost of treating obesity-related illnesses—including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers—far exceeds the cost of providing preventive medications. By covering AOMs, Medicare could reduce hospitalizations, decrease the need for expensive procedures, and ultimately lower overall healthcare expenditures. Investing in obesity treatment now will yield significant economic and public health benefits in the future.
Some may argue that expanding access will lead to increased spending. However, the reality is that failing to treat obesity is far more expensive. Preventing obesity-related diseases through effective treatment options will reduce overall Medicare expenditures and improve the health of millions. In fact, studies show that addressing obesity now will save Medicare billions of dollars in the long run. The long-term return on investment is clear: healthier individuals, reduced strain on the healthcare system, and lower costs for taxpayers.
The evidence is clear—AOMs work, and the need is urgent.
President Trump can take decisive action in support of this critical healthcare policy. By backing the CMS proposal to cover AOMs under Medicare, he can help millions of Americans lead healthier lives, reduce the economic burden of obesity, and demonstrate a commitment to advancing medical innovation. Expanding coverage is not just good healthcare policy—it is a moral and economic imperative.
Cindy Risher serves at the First Vice-Chair for the SC Republican Party and is a former Clarendon 1 County School Board member who served as the Board’s Vice Chairman for two terms and currently serves on a State Board appointed by the Governor with and confirmed by the Senate.
Cindy Risher
