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H.R. 4231: Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025, aims to address the issue of obesity among Medicare beneficiaries and improve treatment options for this condition, which is linked to numerous health problems and high healthcare costs. Below are the main components of the bill:

Short Title

The legislation is officially referred to as the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025.

Findings

The bill begins with several findings that highlight the severity of obesity among older adults. Key statistics include:

Approximately 41% of adults aged 60 and over were classified as obese as of 2016.
Obesity is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., contributing to an estimated 300,000 deaths annually.
Obesity leads to increased risks for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Medicare beneficiaries are increasingly affected by obesity, with a projected significant increase in prevalence by 2030.
The economic costs of obesity are substantial, exceeding $427 billion in 2014 alone.

Expansion of Healthcare Provider Eligibility

The bill would allow for a wider range of healthcare providers to offer intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. The following providers would be included:

Physicians who are not primarily designated as primary care physicians.
Other healthcare professionals such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and registered dietitians.
Community-based lifestyle counseling programs approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

However, therapy provided by these providers must be in coordination with a primary care practitioner, ensuring a comprehensive treatment approach.

Medicare Part D Coverage for Obesity Medication

The bill proposes amendments to expand Medicare Part D coverage to include medications used specifically for the treatment of obesity. This would affect drugs that help manage weight loss for individuals who are overweight or obese and suffer from related health issues.

The coverage adjustments would apply starting two years after the bill’s enactment.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Health and Human Services would be required to submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, and every two years thereafter. The report would detail:

The steps taken to implement this legislation.
Recommendations for improving the coordination of obesity-related programs across federal agencies.

Conclusion

The bill aims to enhance the treatment and prevention of obesity among Medicare beneficiaries by broadening the spectrum of qualified providers and improving medication access, alongside rigorous reporting to ensure effective implementation.

Relevant Companies

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This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.

Actions

2 actions

Date	Action
Jun. 27, 2025	Introduced in House
Jun. 27, 2025	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.

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