The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new study on prescription drug use to treat obesity.

Several physician members of American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) — including Dr. W. Timothy Garvey, Dr. Ken Fuijoka, and Dr. Ania Jastreboff — participated in the study’s development and report.

As many specialists in obesity medicine have experienced, few people with obesity use prescription drugs for weight loss, and coverage varies widely — including prior authorization hurdles for physicians and counseling on lifestyle change.

AACE supports legislation in Congress to expand coverage for treatment of obesity, and we will use the study’s findings to advocate for its passage.