Prepared by Chris Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

In this report: Nominees for National Clinical Care Commission, Cosponsorship of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act Grows, and OAC Comments on WHO Report on Non-Communicable Diseases

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Prepared by Chris Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

In this report: An Update on the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, Workshop on Obesity in the Armed Services, and OCAN Comments on Short Term Health Plans

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Prepared by Chris Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

In this report: Benefit-Risk Assessment in Drug Regulatory Decision-Making, Bariatric Surgery Pilot for Georgia State Employees Fails to Pass, and OCAN Member Group Comments on USPSTF Recommendations on Behavioral Weight Loss Interventions

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Prepared by Chris Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative

In this report: OCAN Second Annual Advocacy Day, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Nominee, and Focusing on Obesity in the Military

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, ASMBS Washington Representative

From Monday – Friday, October 30 – November 3, 2017, Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) advocates took to Capitol Hill to educate Congress about the goals of National Obesity Care Week (NOCW). That we as a country must change the way we care about obesity by elevating societal awareness of the disease of obesity, those affected by it, its science-based treatments and weight bias. These efforts pushed the…

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, ASMBS Washington Representative

On Friday, Oct. 23, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued a FAQ, which advises against coverage exclusions for weight management as part of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The effort is a win for obesity treatment coverage, resulting from efforts by the Obesity Care Continuum and our partners.

The question related to weight management is as follows:

Q6: My non-grandfathered group health plan…

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, ASMBS Washington Representative

During August, ASMBS President-Elect Dr. Raul Rosenthal joined with other leaders from the obesity community in meeting with Debra Eschmeyer, Executive Director of the Let’s Move campaign and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition in the Office of the First Lady. Other obesity advocates included OAC Board Chair Ted Kyle and OAC President Joe Nadglowski, TOS President Penny Gordon Larsen and TOS Executive Director Francesca Dea and AND Vice…

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, ASMBS Washington Representative

OCC groups continue to lobby on behalf of the the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2015 (S.1509/HR 2404). At the time of this report, the legislation had surpassed a major milestone on the House side as now more than 100 House members have cosponsored the bill. There are currently 10 cosponsors on the Senate side.

Sponsors of the legislation are currently drafting a letter to the Congressional…

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, ASMBS Washington Representative

On June 22, 2015, the Obesity Care Continuum provided comments in response to the May 22, 2015 Senate Finance Committee Chronic Disease Working Group letter to Stakeholders requesting feedback on possible solutions to improve outcomes for Medicare patients requiring chronic care.

On June 19, 2015, the OCC submitted comments in response to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed rule regarding amendments to regulations governing employer wellness programs…

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Prepared by Christopher Gallagher, ASMBS Washington Representative

Obesity Care Continuum (OCC) groups continued to prepare for the eventual reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) during the 114th Congress. Both House and Senate sponsors of the bill have finally agreed on legislative language and are looking to reintroduce the bill in conjunction with the Campaign to End Obesity’s annual Breakfast of Champions event on May 13th. This is excellent timing as several OCC…

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