Global Liver Institute’s Statement on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Obesity Coverage Proposed Rule
Global Liver Institute is thrilled to share that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed to align coverage policy to reflect the understanding that obesity is a chronic disease. The proposed rule would act on GLI’s long-standing recommendation to extend access to obesity treatment for millions of Americans, empowering people with obesity to live healthier and happier lives. No longer would this Medicare policy come between the judgment of doctors and their patients.
We know early and effective treatment saves lives and costly resources associated with downstream impacts of advanced liver disease and other metabolic disease states.
For example, GLI recognizes the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), – now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) – and its advanced form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) – now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) – and obesity. Preventing liver disease is directly associated with treating and reducing obesity. Worldwide, NASH/MASH affects more than 148 million people and continues to become more prevalent each year. Research has closely linked the presence of NASH/MASH to metabolic comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes. With the expectation that 1 in 4 individuals will be obese by 2035, we must utilize unbiased and science-based approaches to both NASH/MASH 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/MASH.
GLI, several members of the Liver Action Network, and the obesity advocacy community are united in urging the incoming administration to take the final, long-awaited, and much-needed step to ensure beneficiaries with obesity have access to obesity medications prescribed by their doctors.
About Global Liver Institute
Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. GLI holds Platinum Transparency with Candid/GuideStar, is a member of the National Health Council, and serves as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube or visit www.globalliver.org.