🌟 New Op-Ed from ABC Members! 🌟 We are proud to share an insightful op-ed written by Annette K. Ansong, MD, FACC & Rachel M Bond, MD, FACC, Co-chairs of the ABC CVD in Women and Children Committee and Tiffany Powell-Wiley, MD, MPH, Co-chair of the ABC Research Committee. Published in STAT, "Medicare’s Part D policy is blocking progress needed to achieve Black health equity," explores the significant barriers that Medicare’s current policies create in the fight for health equity among Black communities. Read the full article to understand the urgent need for policy changes that can pave the way for better health outcomes: https://lnkd.in/eH-_ESiZ Join the conversation and help us advocate for necessary changes to achieve #healthequity! #MedicarePartD #HealthJustice #HealthPolicy
Women's Heart Health & Prevention Specialist; Advocate for Women in Cardiology
Grateful for the opportunity Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. to participate in an op-ed with Drs. Annette K. Ansong, MD, FACC and Tiffany Powell-Wiley centered on a critical issue: Medicare’s Part D policy and its impact on Black equity 🙏🏽 Obesity is an epidemic that ⬆️ the risk of cardiovascular disease and disproportionately affects Black Americans, beginning as early as childhood and adolescence. Black women have the highest rates of obesity or being overweight compared to other groups in the United States. The outdated policy set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) currently restricts coverage of essential anti-obesity medications that manage obesity, a chronic medical condition, limiting suggested options for treatment and ultimately limiting the improvement of cardiovascular outcomes. One reason for this is that even at the policy level, obesity is still viewed as a lifestyle choice rather than a chronic disease that may continue to persist without appropriate treatment. This must change! Often, CMS sets the standard, and as such it’s crucial for them to lead the way in providing affordable access to life-saving medications for obesity. The longer we fail to provide such coverage, the longer underserved communities, particularly Black Americans, will struggle with a chronic medical condition on their own. Together, we can advocate for change and ensure equitable access to essential healthcare for all. 🫶🏽 Check it out 👉🏽https://lnkd.in/gt_S-K6e #MedicareForAll #HealthEquity #BlackHealthMatters #ObesityAwareness #HealthcareReform #blackwomeninmedicine #womenincardiology #womeninmedicine
