What do we have to lose?

We had a great crop of apples this year and more pumpkins than we could give away. Blackberries from the Westside and home canned cherries from early summer and have we got our pies!

America is a land of plenty and we love to eat at ball games, movie theaters and other community gatherings. For some, this lifestyle is catching up to us and we're dealing with extra pounds, which is leading to health problems.

We have to find a way to help people stay healthy and avoid terrible chronic diseases associated with obesity.

It's not just about what we eat, it's about our anatomy and how some of us are prone to weight gain and obesity no matter what we do.

For some people, cutting back on those extra snacks and exercising will counter the bulge. For others, it's not a lifestyle choice for people who need to lose a few pounds.

It is a disease that is very costly to us personally, which is why we all need to be a bit worried ... that is, if we want to live a long and healthy life. I know that's what I want.

And do we deserve a little help?

The federal government spends billions on Ukraine and Israel, and on free food, housing and education for not-so-legal immigrants. But does Medicare Part D spend any, really, on helping Americans fighting obesity and the chronic conditions that follow, like diabetes and heart disease?

No.

Even if it saves the system money? Sadly, No.

Many Americans are overweight and need weight reduction help in preventing diseases like diabetes, or the occurrence of heart disease or stroke because they are overweight. Medicare Part D (the prescription drug benefit) could cover weight reduction treatment but it does not at this time. Instead Medicare pays out billions for cancers, dementia and all kinds of diseases linked to obesity.

They even pay for expensive bariatric surgery. Wouldn't it make more sense to pay for prevention of these ailments?

Longevity and quality of life will increase with the help of obesity treatments. And, the costs to the Medicare system will decrease because diseases will be prevented.

These new drugs are so successful in weight reduction people who have struggled their whole life can get a new lease on life. Literally.

But for most of us this is not a lifestyle drug. It is a life drug and, it's for people like you and me who have paid into a system for a lifetime.

Obesity affects 42% of American adults. And, obesity is starting at a younger age – 30% of all applicants to the military are turned down because they are overweight.

That fact may be putting us all at risk. It is certainly costing us more.

A staggering $92.2 billion a year is hoisted onto taxpayers through Medicare. Outside of the government system, another $200 billion is spent on medical complications related to obesity.

Obesity is so prevalent among Americans that 10 years ago the American Medical Association declared it a disease!

If only Congress would add these medications to its Part D eligibility list. We would improve life expectancy, reduce disabilities, and reduce dependencies.

Adding medications that treat obesity to Part D would drive cost savings in Medicare, increase competition the leads to lower costs for medications and even lead to more access to treatment for those who are not yet on Medicare.

Sounds like a good thing to me: save money; lose weight; live longer.

Congress is, right now, considering action. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) of 2023 is running in both the House and Senate. So, now is the time to let them know how you stand on longevity and health.

Contact your member of Congress and urge them to support TROA. After all, what do you have to lose?

Or, for that matter, what have you got to gain? Years?

- Pam Roach is a retired Washington State Senator who served 26 years in Olympia. She and her husband, Jim, raised five children on their small farm and enjoy their 18 grandchildren. To contact her, email [email protected]