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Updated: 6 hours ago

Op-ed: Why Medicare should cover anti-obesity meds

By Andrew Zarro, Bicycle Coalition of Maine

Since 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has worked to make our state a safer, more accessible and more inviting place to bike, walk, and roll. Over the decades, we have grown into one of the most effective bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations in the country. Our mission is rooted in a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to move safely and freely through their communities, regardless of age, ability or income.

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Andrew Zarro is the executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

Movement, however, is not just about bike lanes and sidewalks. It is about public health. It is about removing barriers that keep people from living active, fulfilling lives. That is why I am writing today.

Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges facing Maine and the country. According to the Maine Obesity Advisory Council, about one in three adults in our state live with obesity. This increases the risk for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, asthma and certain cancers. The financial toll is also staggering, with the cost of obesity in Maine estimated at over $450 million a year.

At the Coalition, we know the transformative power of biking and walking. Physical activity improves mental and physical health, builds community, reduces pollution, and helps people feel more connected to the places where they live. But for many, especially older adults, obesity and related health issues make it harder to get started. Barriers like pain, fatigue and limited mobility can keep people from experiencing the benefits of active transportation.

Fortunately, science has delivered new tools to help. Anti-obesity medications have proven to be effective at helping individuals manage weight, improve health outcomes and gain the energy and mobility needed to live more active lives. But these treatments remain out of reach for many because Medicare does not currently cover them.

Congress has a chance to change that.

With bipartisan support growing and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, serving in a key leadership role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maine is uniquely positioned to help lead on this issue. Expanding Medicare coverage to include anti-obesity medications would give tens of thousands of Mainers access to effective treatment, allowing more people to reclaim their health and re-engage with their communities.

This is not just a health policy. It is also a transportation, climate, and economic policy. When people feel better, they move more. When they move more, they commute differently and they are more likely to choose active modes like walking or biking to work, school or errands. That shift reduces traffic congestion, lowers carbon emissions, and boosts local economies. At the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, we know that getting more people to bike and walk starts with removing the barriers that stand in their way — including chronic health conditions that limit mobility. Medicare coverage for anti-obesity medications would be a step toward greater agency, equity, safer streets and healthier Mainers.

As a former Portland city councilor, I understand the importance of managing costs in public programs. But I also understand that smart investments in prevention save money over time. Medicare coverage for anti-obesity medications will reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve lives. It is the right thing to do, and the time to act is now.

Healthier people build healthier communities. Let us give them the tools to do just that.

About the author

Andrew Zarro is the executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

Another perspective on obesity drug reimbursement:

Op-ed: Bill that would mandate payment for obesity drugs would create cost crisis at Maine employers

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