Sign-On Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and COVID-19 Relief

To: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, The Honorable Mitch McConnell, The Honorable Kevin McCarthy, The Honorable Charles Schumer

"As all of us continue to implement effective response plans to address the impact of COVID-19, it has become increasingly evident that obesity, and its numerous related comorbidities, is the second greatest risk factor, after older age, for hospitalization among COVID-19 patients. Even the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recently acknowledged that we are in the midst of a parallel epidemic, one non-infectious (obesity and diet related chronic diseases) and one infectious (COVID-19). Despite the prevalence and severity of obesity in the United States, many public and private health plans, including Medicare, do not adequately cover evidence-based obesity treatment options. Incorporation of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (H.R. 1530/S. 595) into the next COVID-19 relief package could make a significant difference in the survival rate for millions of Americans."

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