Kelly Harkins, Author at The Obesity Society

Obesity Groups Urge Massachusetts State Policymakers to maintain GIC and MassHealth Coverage for Comprehensive Obesity Care

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), The Obesity Society (TOS), and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) strongly oppose Governor Healey and the Group Insurance Commission’s (GIC) efforts to eliminate Medicaid and state employee coverage for GLP-1 medications. Our organizations strongly support coverage of Food & Drug Administration (FDA) – approved obesity management medications [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-10-08T12:35:41-04:00March 15th, 2026|

The Obesity Society Statement on Safety Concerns Related to Compounded GLP-1

The Obesity Society Statement on Safety Concerns Related to Compounded GLP-1 Rockville, MD - March 12, 2026 - Jacqueline M. Stephens, PhD, FTOS, President of The Obesity Society (TOS), the nation’s leading scientific organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, and treatment of obesity, released the following statement on reports that an impurity has been [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-03-18T13:07:33-04:00March 12th, 2026|

Leading Medical Groups Affirm Obesity Medications Are Safe and Effective for Long-Term Use

Leading Medical Groups Affirm Obesity Medications Are Safe and Effective for Long-Term Use

Rockville, MD - March 5 — Leading obesity experts have released new guidance confirming that obesity medications are safe, effective, and appropriate for long-term use. These findings will give millions of Americans living with obesity greater clarity and confidence in their treatment options. The Obesity Society (TOS), [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-06-09T10:15:50-04:00March 5th, 2026|

Ohio Prohibition Language Medicaid Coverage Medications

Gov. Mike DeWine Vern Riffe Center, 30th Floor 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6117 Attn: Giles Allen, Director of Legislative Affairs Gov. DeWine, We, the undersigned organizations representing tens of thousands of patients, families, clinicians, and advocates across Ohio, urge your administration to use its authority to immediately remove the prohibition against Medicaid [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-08-07T19:32:22-04:00March 2nd, 2026|

The Obesity Society Calls for National Action During Obesity Care Week 2026

Rockville, MD - March 2, 2026 — With obesity rates rising and millions of Americans still unable to access comprehensive, evidence-based treatment, The Obesity Society (TOS) is using Obesity Care Week 2026 to spotlight obesity as a serious, chronic disease and to emphasize the importance of expanding access to care. Obesity Care Week (March 2-6) [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-06-09T10:16:39-04:00March 2nd, 2026|

Hawaii Medicaid Access

Obesity Groups Support Medicaid Coverage for Comprehensive Obesity Care & Urge Passage of SB 3195 and HB 2456 The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), The Obesity Society (TOS), and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) strongly support coverage of Food & Drug Administration (FDA) – approved obesity medications in the context of [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-08-07T19:21:00-04:00February 26th, 2026|

Unapproved and Misleaded Compounded GLP-1s

Dr. Marty Makary Commissioner U.S. Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20993 Re: Support for FDA Action to Address Unapproved and Misleading Compounded GLP-1 Drugs Dear Commissioner Makary: We write to applaud the FDA’s February 6, 2026 announcement to take decisive action against mass-marketed, non-FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs that put [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-08-07T19:08:42-04:00February 20th, 2026|

Marlyand Medicaid Expansion

Obesity Groups Support Passage of Maryland Senate Bill 876/House Bill 1489 to Expand Medicaid Coverage of Comprehensive Obesity Care On behalf of The Obesity Society (TOS) -- based in Maryland -- and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the Obesity Ac=on Coali=on (OAC), we are pleased to express our strong [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-08-07T19:08:15-04:00February 17th, 2026|

New Hampshire State-Regulated Health Plans

The Obesity Society Statement in Support of SB 445 – a Positive Step Toward Expanding Obesity Care Coverage for New Hampshire State-Regulated Health Plans On behalf of The Obesity Society (TOS), we respectfully express our support for Senate Bill (SB) 455, introduced by Senator Prentiss, would allow for expanded coverage of FDA-approved obesity medications [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-08-07T19:07:51-04:00February 11th, 2026|

Armed Forces Access to Obesity Care and Services

The Honorable Pete Hegseth United States Secretary of War 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1000 Dear Secretary Hegseth, The members of the United States Armed Forces are the collective cornerstone of American freedom and prosperity, and their health and fitness are paramount to our national defense. We applaud your commitment to improving the strength of [...]

Kelly Harkins2026-08-07T19:07:29-04:00February 2nd, 2026|

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