OCAN applauds the administration’s Launch of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) pilot program, BALANCE.

OCAN applauds the administration’s Launch of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) pilot program, BALANCE, which will expand access to obesity treatments under Medicare and Medicaid.

"The launch of the CMMI BALANCE program represents a historic milestone in the fight against the obesity epidemic," said Cristy Gallagher, coordinator of OCAN. "By expanding access to evidence-based treatments, the administration is taking a meaningful step toward improving the quality of care for millions of Americans.

For too long, barriers to treatment have prevented individuals from accessing the care they need. This demonstration program has the potential to transform obesity care nationwide by finally recognizing and treating obesity as the chronic, complex disease it is. We look forward to providing feedback to CMMI to improve and expand the program as the details are formalized.

OCAN and its member organizations remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that life-saving obesity care is accessible to all. We thank the administration for its leadership and for advancing this critical mission to improve public health.”