10.25.2023 OMA Board Book

This change is necessary to ensure the continued representation of the OMA in the AMA’s House of Delegates (HOD). In 2013, the AMA recognized obesity as a disease and as such, the AMA is actively engaged in combatting the obesity epidemic in partnership with the OMA and other member organizations. The OMA’s leadership at the AMA is critical to achieve the OMA’s key advocacy objectives. Here more from Dr. Ethan Lazarus, the OMA’s HOD Representative: (we’d envision that we’d insert a video clip from Ethan that speaks to the criticality of retaining our HOD seat as part of this communication plan) What efforts is the OMA taking to ensure that the physician members of the OMA are also members of the AMA? The OMA is currently offering an OMA membership discount for physician members who are also members of the AMA. Further, the OMA publishes information on the importance of AMA membership in its newsletters and other collateral. I have always purchased multi-year membership (i.e. 3, 5, etc.) Can I still do this under the new voting and non-voting membership levels? The OMA will still offer multi-year options with the new membership types and all members will have the option to choose multi-year memberships at the time of their renewal. New members will see these same options initially as well. Multi-Messaging/Time-Specific Communication Ideas Provided by Dr. Lazarus Message #1: Thank you so much for your membership in the OMA. We are writing to let you know that your Board of Trustees is recommending some important changes to the OMA’s Bylaws. More information, along with a request for your vote, will be forthcoming in the coming weeks. A primary strategic focus of the OMA is that obesity be recognized as a disease, and that patients with obesity are able to receive access to comprehensive obesity care. Unfortunately, most healthcare providers continue to not treat obesity at all, many insurers refuse payment for treatment, and most people living with obesity do not have coverage for pharmacotherapy. We have experienced significant success working with the American Medical Association (AMA) in advancing our advocacy efforts. The AMA is fighting for recognition of obesity as a disease and for improving insurance coverage for treatment. They have passed policy on

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