Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025" aims to enhance Medicare's response to the growing obesity epidemic by expanding coverage for treatment services. It addresses the significant health risks and economic burden associated with obesity, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries, by improving access to care. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand the types of healthcare providers qualified to furnish intensive behavioral therapy for obesity under Medicare. This includes allowing physicians beyond primary care, various other healthcare professionals like physician assistants and registered dietitians, and evidence-based community-based lifestyle counseling programs to provide these services, provided there is a referral from a physician and care coordination. Furthermore, the legislation amends the Social Security Act to remove the current exclusion of obesity medications from Medicare Part D coverage, effective two years after enactment. This change would allow Medicare Part D plans to cover prescription drugs for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management in overweight individuals with related comorbidities. Finally, the bill mandates regular reports from the Secretary of HHS to Congress on the implementation of these provisions and recommendations for improved federal coordination in obesity prevention and treatment.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The "Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025" aims to enhance Medicare's response to the growing obesity epidemic by expanding coverage for treatment services. It addresses the significant health risks and economic burden associated with obesity, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries, by improving access to care. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand the types of healthcare providers qualified to furnish intensive behavioral therapy for obesity under Medicare. This includes allowing physicians beyond primary care, various other healthcare professionals like physician assistants and registered dietitians, and evidence-based community-based lifestyle counseling programs to provide these services, provided there is a referral from a physician and care coordination. Furthermore, the legislation amends the Social Security Act to remove the current exclusion of obesity medications from Medicare Part D coverage, effective two years after enactment. This change would allow Medicare Part D plans to cover prescription drugs for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management in overweight individuals with related comorbidities. Finally, the bill mandates regular reports from the Secretary of HHS to Congress on the implementation of these provisions and recommendations for improved federal coordination in obesity prevention and treatment.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.