GLI Urges Passage of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)
Global Liver Institute recognizes the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), its advanced form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and obesity. Preventing liver disease is directly associated with treating and reducing obesity. Worldwide, NASH affects more than 148 million people and continues to become more prevalent each year. Research has closely linked the presence of NASH to metabolic comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes. With the expectation that 1 in 4 individuals will be obese by 2035, it is crucial that we utilize unbiased and science-based approaches to both NASH and obesity care. GLI stands alongside the obesity advocacy community in recognizing obesity as a serious and complex condition that is a risk factor for developing NASH.
Therefore, we strongly support and endorse the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) to combat the obesity crisis in the United States. This bipartisan legislation would expand coverage of new health care specialists and chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients. It will also work to mitigate the obesity epidemic by providing regular screenings.
GLI founder and CEO, Ms. Donna R. Cryer, JD, stated, “We know all too well that obesity is closely linked to serious chronic conditions, including liver disease and liver cancer, that have a devastating impact on the lives of those affected and their families. It is past time to extend coverage to treatments that will address the personal and financial burden of obesity and related diseases and conditions for so many people and families.”
———-
About Global Liver Institute
Global Liver Institute (GLI) was built to solve the problems that matter to liver patients, equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. GLI believes liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI is the only patient-created, patient-driven nonprofit organization tackling liver health and all liver disease holistically, operating globally. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
