GSA Policy Profile

Latest Congressional Actions Around the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (GSA Policy Profile)

This edition of GSA Policy Profile Series highlights the latest legislative activity regarding the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which recently was voted out of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, an advancement that serves as a key milestone. Learn how TROA has evolved, its changes in Medicare coverage, what research has been used to advance and advocate for the Act, where TROA is headed in Congress, and what a final legislative act may look like.
Download the Transcript
 
Guests:
Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, MS, RN, Director of Policy, Strategy and Alliances at the Obesity Action Coalition
Host:
Patricia M. "Trish" D'Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP, Vice President, Policy and Professional Affairs, Gerontological Society of America
Additional resources:
GSA’s evidence-based KAER Toolkit for the Management of Obesity in Older Adults  
GSA Enrich Learning Center: Obesity and Overweight  
GSA’s Policy Advocacy  
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (H.R. 4818)
CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps  
Trust For America’s Health State of Obesity 
This podcast episode is supported by Novo Nordisk.

GSA Policy Profile: The State of Medical Use of Cannabidiol in Older Adults in 2023

The use of cannabis among older adults is increasing in the United States. While cannabis use has been suggested to help alleviate chronic symptoms experienced by older adults, its potential adverse effects may lead to unintended consequences, including increased acute healthcare utilization related to its use. This GSA Policy Profile delves into what has happened in the environment since 2021 when GSA published Medical Use of Cannabidiol in Older Adults, which was based on a convening of experts in pharmacy, clinical medicine, research, law, and policy.Additional resources:Common Terminology & Glossary (April 2023 Version)Cannabis InfographicFDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD)Download the TranscriptGuests:Libby Baney, J.D., Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLPCarmen Witsken, PharmD, Executive Fellow in Association Leadership and Management at American Society of Consultant PharmacistsHost:Patricia M. "Trish" D'Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP, Vice President, Policy and Professional Affairs, The Gerontological Society of America.This podcast episode is supported by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

GSA Policy Profile: The State of Obesity Care: Better Policies for Older Adults

A chronic and often untreated disease, obesity has emerged over the past half century as a major source of morbidity and mortality in the United States and many other countries worldwide. Despite the recognition of obesity as a chronic disease, public policies limit access to a full range of obesity care services for many individuals who would benefit from comprehensive, interdisciplinary care for their disease—including older adults. In fact, within the Medicare population, reimbursements are available for intensive behavioral therapy and nutritional counseling provided by primary care physicians and for bariatric surgery. This GSA Policy Profile episode provides listeners with major policy initiatives currently being sought for comprehensive obesity care, addresses barriers to implementation of these initiatives, and provides valuable insights into how we care encourage policymakers to make addressing obesity a priority. 
Additional resources: H.R. 1577 – Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2021 S. 596 – Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2021
Download the Trascript
Guest: Joe Nadglowski—President/CEO, Obesity Action Coalition.
Host: Patricia M. "Trish" D'Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP—Vice President, Policy and Professional Affairs, The Gerontological Society of America.
This podcast episode is supported by Novo Nordisk and was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). 

GSA Policy Profile: Impact of the New FDA Regulation on Hearing Aids for Older Adults

Research shows the impact of poor hearing and hearing loss on older adults – such as poor daily communication, cognitive decline, depression, and social isolation. We know that all too often the high cost of hearing aids, which have not been covered by Medicare, discouraged millions of Americans from buying the devices.  In fact, it is estimated that only about one-fifth of Americans with hearing loss get help. New FDA regulation that takes effect in October 2022 provides for hearing aids to be sold over the counter without a prescription.   This episode provides an overview of this new regulation and its potential for positive impact on the lives of older adults.
Guest: Frank Lin, MD, PhD—Director, Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Host: Patricia M. "Trish" D'Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP—Vice President, Policy and Professional Affairs, The Gerontological Society of America.
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund.