2022 Atlanta Board of Trustees Meeting

7173 S. Havana St #600-130 Centennial, CO 80112 P: 303.770.2526 | F: 303.779.4834 obesitymedicine.org

has shown us the vulnerability of patients with obesity to have more severe illness and death from COVID-19. Medicaid spending on treating these secondary diseases must be substantial. We believe treating the obesity first is the best way to prevent these co-morbidities but also improve them even with as little as 5-10% body weight loss. The newest anti-obesity medications can help patients to lose 16-18% of their body weight. Often with weight reduction, patients can discontinue some of the chronic medications they are on for obesity related co-morbidities and lower health care spending. We understand bariatric surgery is covered by Health First Colorado which is a good option for many patients with more severe obesity, but it is not for everyone. Requirements for surgery include a BMI over 35 with co-morbidity or BMI over 40 without which leaves out a lot of people in the BMI range for obesity of 30-34. These patients may avoid bariatric surgery with medical management with anti- obesity medications earlier in the course of their disease. It is bewildering that we will pay for medications to treat all the diseases caused by obesity but fail to provide coverage for the root cause. We would like to ask you to meet with us to have a conversation about anti-obesity medications and how to advance gaining coverage by Health First Colorado. We appreciate you consideration of this request and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

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Ethan Lazarus MD, President, Obesity Medicine Association Owner, Clinical Nutrition Center, Greenwood Village, CO

Carolynn Francavilla MD, Board of Trustees, Obesity Medicine Association Owner, Green Mountain Partners for Health, Lakewood, CO

Rebecca Andrick, DO, Advocacy Committee Chair, Obesity Medicine Association Owner, Weigh to Wellness Denver, Denver CO