Treat & Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 Gains Momentum

Efforts to help people with obesity may get a little more support. In April, pertinent new legislation was introduced in both the House and the Senate.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 aims to provide healthcare professionals with more funding and better treatment options for obesity. If the legislation passes, it would improve counseling, intervention and drug treatments for patients.

“Obesity accounts for nearly 10% of all annual medical spending in the United States,” says representative Ron Kind, an advocate for the act. “Unless we do something to address the obesity epidemic, the costs and harm to public health will only continue to rise. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 is a critical step to improving health outcomes for our aging population, as well as reining in out-of-control healthcare spending.”