The Amputee Coalition expresses our support for U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee’s proposed “Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 4818” (AINS), which we believe will be an important step toward supporting access to obesity treatments for Medicare beneficiaries.
Obesity is a primary risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes [1] and peripheral arterial disease [2]. Both conditions are common diagnoses leading to limb loss, particularly with those 65 and older [3]. We thank the committee for your efforts to fight obesity and the chronic conditions it can cause, which leads to approximately 300,000 preventable amputations annually [4].
[1] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (2022) What Is Diabetes? https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/risk-factors-type-2-diabetes.
[2] Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350557#Risk%20Factors.
[3] Avalere Health. (2024). Prevalence of Limb Loss and Limb Difference in the United States: Implications for Public Policy2. Washington, DC: Avalere Health LLC. Prevalence-of-Limb-Loss-and-Limb-Difference-in-the-United-States_Implications-for-Public-Policy.pdf (avalere.com).
[4] Ibid.