This post is the first in a series of three centering obesity as a health equity issue for older adults. ASA published a series of fact sheets to inform and educate the aging services network on prioritizing obesity care for older adults, which were distributed to congressional offices during ASA’s Hill Day on April 3, 2025, in Washington, DC, to advocate for the health and well-being of older Americans, including ensuring greater access and options to the full continuum of obesity care and treatment for older adults.
On April 3, 2025, the American Society on Aging, in partnership with Novo Nordisk, spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers and bringing attention to two major priorities: supporting the health and well-being of older adults and expanding access to comprehensive obesity care.
The Hill Day delegation included ASA staff, advocates from several leading aging organizations, and our team at Indigo Hill Strategies. Together, we held 15 bipartisan meetings with congressional offices in both the House and Senate. These conversations focused on two key requests:
- Protect and strengthen the programs and services that older adults rely upon.
- Ensure older adults have access to the full range of obesity-care options, from prevention to treatment.
As the U.S. population continues to skew older, these issues are becoming more urgent. More than 40% of adults older than age 60 are living with obesity, which increases the risk of other serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease and mobility challenges. These health issues are not only deeply personal for individuals and families, but they also drive significant costs within the Medicare program.
Staff from both sides of the aisle expressed interest in addressing these challenges. Many acknowledged that Medicare does not currently cover anti-obesity medications and were open to learning more about the benefits of early intervention and whole-person care. Several also raised concerns about how the recent restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may affect aging services and the people who rely upon them.
‘Bipartisan leaders in Congress are already preparing to reintroduce legislation that would require Medicare Part D to cover these medications.’
ASA advocates shared the lived experiences of older adults and the professionals who support them every day. That real-world perspective helped ground the conversation, and many offices expressed a desire to stay in touch and continue exploring solutions.
There was also a sense of momentum leading into Hill Day. Many advocates were hopeful the Trump Administration would finalize a proposed rule allowing Medicare Part D to cover anti-obesity medications. More than 31,000 public comments had already been submitted in support of this change. Unfortunately, the day after Hill Day, the Administration announced it would not move forward with the rule. This outcome was disappointing for many, especially given the clear demand for better access to obesity care.
Still, there is reason to be hopeful. The Administration’s decision not to finalize the coverage rule has created an opening for legislative action. Bipartisan leaders in Congress are already preparing to reintroduce legislation that would require Medicare Part D to cover these medications. Indigo Hill Strategies is ready to support this effort by helping to build momentum, drive engagement, and keep the focus on solutions that work for older adults.
In addition to the meetings and legislative discussions, Hill Day was an important reminder of the collective strength of the aging community. Advocates shared stories not just about barriers, but also about resilience, innovation and hope. From community-based wellness programs to emerging therapies that target the root causes of obesity, there is a wealth of promising work happening across the country. Hill Day provided a platform to tout these success stories and illustrate the real-world impact of investing in older adults’ health. Every conversation underscored the fact that with the right policies, it is possible to create a future where older adults are healthier, more independent, and better supported.
Now more than ever, we need to keep showing up. Advocates for older adults must continue to speak up about the need for obesity drug coverage, continued funding for aging programs, and policy solutions that help people live and age with dignity. Indigo Hill Strategies is proud to be a part of this work. We are not going anywhere, we are just getting started.
Ryann Hill, MPH, is founder and CEO of Indigo Hill Strategies and an accomplished government affairs strategist with deep expertise in policy, politics and business, and a strong foundation in health policy. Before founding Indigo Hill Strategies, Hill held executive-level roles in government affairs and public policy in the private sector. She launched her career in the U.S. House Office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and is a proud alumna of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She is also an ASA RISE alum.
Taylor Turner, MPH, is director of Government Affairs at Indigo Hill Strategies, specializing in healthcare policy and federal advocacy. She represents clients in disability, rare disease and aging spaces, advocating for policies that improve access to care. She also serves as director of Government Relations at The Federal Group, and has led strategic policy initiatives in maternal health, patient safety and kidney health. Previously, she worked as a researcher at George Washington University, focusing on public health policy, federal food assistance programs and regulatory advocacy.
Photo caption: ASA staff and member advocates at Hill Day, April 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Central Photo Company
