对于太多受肥胖症困扰的人来说，治疗的最大障碍不在于有没有有效的治疗方案，而在于他们能否获得这些方案。对于老年人而言，这一障碍尤为难以逾越。
For too many people affected by obesity, the biggest barrier to treatment isn’t whether effective options exist. It’s whether they can access them. For older adults, that barrier has been especially difficult to overcome.
近年来，肥胖症治疗取得了巨大进展，但 Medicare（联邦医疗保险）的覆盖范围却未能跟上步伐。这种情况从 2026 年 7 月 1 日开始改变，随着 Medicare GLP-1 桥梁计划的启动，符合条件的受益人得以获得肥胖症药物，而对许多人来说，这些药物此前因费用高昂或缺乏保险覆盖而遥不可及。这一反响揭示了一个重要信息。
Obesity treatment has advanced dramatically in recent years, but Medicare coverage has not kept pace. That began to change July 1, 2026, with the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, giving eligible beneficiaries access to obesity medications that, for many, had previously been out of reach because of cost or lack of coverage. The response tells us something important.
仅两个月时间，就有超过 60 万 Medicare 受益人报名参保。初步数据显示，其中大多数人此前从未能获得用于治疗肥胖症的 GLP-1 药物。这不仅仅是报名人数火爆，更是长期以来需求未被满足的有力证明。
In just two months, more than 600,000 Medicare beneficiaries have enrolled. Initial data indicate that most had never had access to GLP-1 medications for obesity. That is not simply strong enrollment. It is evidence of a need that has gone unmet for far too long.
通过桥梁计划，符合条件的 Medicare D 部分受益人只需每月 50 美元的共付额，即可获得某些用于治疗肥胖症的 GLP-1 药物。该计划将持续到明年年底。我们组织欢迎这一进展。这是一座桥梁。但这座桥将通向何方？
Through the Bridge Program, eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries can access certain GLP-1 medications for obesity with a $50 monthly co-pay. The program runs through the end of next year. Our organization welcomes this progress. It is a bridge. But where will that bridge take us?
肥胖症是一种复杂的慢性疾病，影响着 40% 的美国人。与患有其他任何慢性疾病的人一样，受肥胖症困扰的人也需要获得全面的、循证的医疗服务。然而，陈旧的政策和根深蒂固的污名化却横亘在患者与能够改善其健康和生活质量的治疗方案之间。
Obesity is a complex, chronic disease affecting 40 percent of Americans. Like people living with any other chronic disease, people affected by obesity need access to comprehensive, evidence-based care. Yet outdated policies and persistent stigma have stood between people and treatments that could improve their health and quality of life.
GLP-1 药物只是一种治疗选择。它们并不适合所有人，也不是治疗肥胖症的唯一途径。正确的治疗方案应由个人及其医疗服务提供者共同决定。保险覆盖范围不应替他们做这个决定。
GLP-1 medications are one treatment option. They are not appropriate for everyone, nor are they the only way to treat obesity. The right treatment is a decision that should be made by individuals and their healthcare providers. Insurance coverage should not make that decision for them.
正因如此，桥梁计划至关重要。但接下来的发展更为关键。该计划是临时性的。在未来15个月里，我们有机会展示当受肥胖影响的人群获得更便捷的循证治疗时，会产生怎样的效果。我们还肩负着责任，确保当这座桥梁结束时，人们不会倒退。
That is why the Bridge Program matters. But what happens next matters even more. The program is temporary. Over the next 15 months, we have an opportunity to demonstrate what happens when people affected by obesity have greater access to evidence-based treatment. We also have a responsibility to ensure that when this bridge ends, people are not sent backward.
受肥胖影响的人群理应享有与其他慢性病患者同等的机会，获得适当的治疗。他们有权与医疗提供者基于科学和个人需求做出医疗决策——而非受污名、成本或过时的报销限制所左右。
Those affected by obesity deserve the same opportunity to access appropriate treatment as people living with other chronic diseases. They deserve to make healthcare decisions with their providers based on science and their individual needs — not stigma, cost or outdated coverage restrictions.
医疗保险GLP-1桥梁计划是意义重大的进展。现在我们需要在此基础上继续推进。每一座桥梁都应引领我们抵达某个目的地。这座桥梁应当通向全面、可负担且持久的肥胖护理服务。我们必须确保这一点得以实现。约瑟夫·纳德格罗斯基是肥胖症行动联盟的主席兼首席执行官。
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program is meaningful progress. Now we need to build on it. Every bridge is supposed to take us somewhere. This one should lead to comprehensive, affordable and lasting access to obesity care. We must make sure it does. Joseph Nadglowski is the president and CEO of the Obesity Action Coalition.