We appreciate that this has been an extraordinarily turbulent and disruptive time for researchers in the United States and our colleagues around the world. Recent months have seen a deluge of cuts to research, firings, rescinded grants, and withdrawn funding opportunities. We are deeply concerned about the impact that these actions have on our members and want to share some of the actions that we are taking to protect research.
We will continue to educate Congress and fight to protect NIH but we need your help. Please send your stories to [email protected] so that we can illustrate the harm these cuts are having. We also urge members to participate in our advocacy campaigns and share these campaigns with your colleagues – you don’t have to be an Endocrine Society member to participate!
On April 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it would not finalize a proposal that would have allowed Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for weight loss. The Society released a statement expressing our disappointment that the Administration chose not to implement this proposal, which was included in a rule finalizing payment policies for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage. We are concerned about the impact this will have on Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with limited incomes. The Society will continue to advocate for the Treat and Reduce Obesity (TROA) which would allow CMS to cover AOMs.
While CMS decided to not move forward with the coverage rule proposal, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced this week that it will develop draft recommendations looking at whether AOMs can affect health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease. If the taskforce gives the recommendations a grade of “A” or “B” this could mean that private insurers must cover AOMs. The Society will monitor this closely and will weigh-in at the appropriate time to encourage the taskforce to issue a favorable recommendation.
We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.
