[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 214 (Monday, December 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1357-E1358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORTING THE TREAT AND REDUCE OBESITY ACT

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                       HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 13, 2021

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, the number of Americans living with 
obesity is reaching record levels. Today, nearly 100 million Americans 
are living with obesity, a complex chronic condition associated with 
other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and even cancer.
  Obesity also disproportionately impacts communities of color, 
particularly Black and Latino adults. Nearly half (49.6 percent) of 
Black Americans and 44.8 percent of Latino Americans are living with 
obesity, compared to 42.2 percent of their white counterparts. In my 
district in Southern California, which is more than two-thirds Latino, 
rates of diabetes and obesity are among the highest in the state.
  Unfortunately, outdated Medicare rules deny access to effective 
obesity care for millions of Americans. Despite a 2013 decision by the 
American Medical Association recognizing obesity as a treatable 
disease, Medicare still stigmatizes obesity as a choice and denies 
access to the full continuum of care.
  This is something we can change. Right now, there is legislation--The 
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act--that would modernize Medicare by 
providing access to anti-obesity medications and intensive behavioral 
therapy, thus expanding care to millions of Americans.
  New data shows that the American people support Congressional action 
to expand access to coverage for obesity treatments. 70 percent of 
adults surveyed in a recent Morning Consult poll conducted on behalf of 
the Obesity Care Advocacy Network support expanding Medicare coverage 
for prevention and treatment of obesity in adults.
  I urge all of Congress to join me in supporting the Treat and Reduce 
Obesity Act to begin to address our obesity epidemic in California and 
across the country.

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