S. 1973 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jun 5, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMedicare expands obesity treatment coverage
Right now, Medicare covers behavioral therapy for obesity only when a primary care doctor provides it. This bill would open up that coverage to include therapy from other types of doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and counseling programs—as long as a doctor refers you and stays involved in your care. The bill would also add obesity and weight-loss medications to the list of drugs Medicare's prescription drug benefit covers.
How it affects you
If you're on Medicare and dealing with obesity or being overweight, you'd have more options for getting help. You could see specialists or other providers without losing coverage, and weight-loss medications would be more accessible through your prescription drug plan. People not on Medicare wouldn't be directly affected by this change.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jun 5, 2025)
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025
This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner.
The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1973
A BILL
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) · Introduced Jun 5, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 5, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.”