Press Release

SEATTLE—The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) applauds the reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) in the Senate by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). This vital bipartisan legislation would expand Medicare coverage to include anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and counseling from non-primary care providers, supporting the nearly 3 million Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare as of 2023.

Obesity presents a growing health challenge for AANHPI older adults, contributing to serious complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. AANHPI communities experience disproportionately high rates of diabetes, prompting the American Diabetes Association to recommend a lower body mass index (BMI) screening threshold of 23, compared to 25 for the general population. Moreover, traditional BMI standards often underrepresent the true prevalence of obesity within AANHPI populations.

“Obesity is a serious and growing challenge for our aging communities, and current Medicare coverage falls far short of what’s needed to address it,” said Clayton Fong, President and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging. “Earlier access to obesity treatments can improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by preventing chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Especially for AANHPI older adults that are overlooked in education and prevention campaigns. We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership behind this bill and urge Congress to pass it without delay.”

The issue is particularly urgent in Pacific Islander communities, where obesity rates exceed 40% in many areas. These disparities are driven by complex social determinants of health, underscoring the need for culturally responsive education, prevention, and treatment resources.

Despite the American Medical Association's longstanding recognition of obesity as a chronic disease, Medicare continues to exclude coverage for most FDA-approved obesity treatments. TROA would correct this gap by providing older adults with access to clinically proven therapies that address obesity and its associated health risks.

NAPCA strongly supports the reintroduction of TROA and commends its bipartisan leadership. We urge swift passage of this legislation to ease both the financial and health burdens of obesity for millions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander elders across the country.

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The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for AANHPI older adults by advocating for their unique needs and ensuring access to culturally competent services.