What HCP online conversations reveal about their priorities: The HCP voice on the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)

09.10.2024 | News

What HCP online conversations reveal about their priorities: The HCP voice on the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)

Key Takeaways: 

  • In our analysis, we’ve uncovered 3 key moments of discussion around TROA since July 21st, 2021, particularly following amendments this past June by the US House Ways and Means Committee, a body in the U.S. House of Representatives responsible for shaping fiscal and social legislation. 
  • HCPs’ advocacy for TROA revealed their dedication to patient health and equitable access to treatments.
  • Social media plays a crucial role in amplifying the HCP message and mobilising support for legislative change.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have increasingly voiced concerns online about the barriers their patients face in accessing obesity treatments such as restrictive insurance coverage, medication shortages, and obesity stigma. These discussions have gained momentum, especially as new drugs like tirzepatide and semaglutide have entered the market. 

Despite advancements in obesity treatment, securing access to medicines remains a challenge, according to HCPs. As Physician Nisha Patel noted, “One of the biggest barriers to providing high-quality care… is the sheer amount of time & resources it takes to fight insurance companies to approve medications.” Hence, through social media, HCPs are calling for reforms to improve access to comprehensive obesity care and treatment. 

Obesity treatment accessibility HCP online conversations on X

Central to their advocacy is the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), “a bipartisan bill in the US aimed at expanding Medicare access to obesity treatments, including FDA-approved medications and intensive behavioural therapy (IBT)”. By tracking HCP online conversations through CREATION Pinpoint®, we found that 13% of the 6,068 mentions about obesity treatment accessibility on X focused on TROA and its potential impact on improving patient access.

TROA HCP online conversations on X

We’ve uncovered 3 key moments of discussion around TROA shown in the graph below:

  1. HCPs campaign for attention to be drawn to TROA.
  2. TROA is reintroduced in Congress, HCPs look forward with anticipation to the outcome.
  3. HCPs celebrate the TROA amendment by the House Ways and Means Committee.

TROA HCP online conversations on X

A. HCPs campaign for attention to be drawn to TROA

Between 2021 and 2022, HCPs turned to social media to raise awareness about the need for better access to obesity treatments and to combat the stigma surrounding the disease. 100 HCPs highlighted the growing impact of obesity on public health and the lack of prioritisation and Medicare coverage for effective treatments. This frustration fueled their advocacy for TROA, urging Congress to pass the bill.

On March 4th, 2022, World Obesity Day, a spike in conversation occurred, with HCPs using the hashtag #OCW2022 to push for support of TROA and address the challenges in accessing obesity care. The hashtag appeared 30 times that day, and 77 times overall in subsequent posts. This is a common online behaviour we’ve observed in our research; HCPs frequently turn to  social media to advocate for causes they are passionate about.

Throughout 2021-2022, the hashtag #obesitycarenow appeared in over 120 posts by HCPs, including one post from the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) that was shared 69 times. This post thanked various Congress members for co-sponsoring TROA. OCAN, which petitioned Congress to pass the bill, was mentioned 141 times in discussions about TROA, further amplifying the call for action.

Most shared hashtags by HCPs when discussing TROA

Even before this significant spike in March 2022, HCPs were actively promoting TROA on X, stressing the urgency of its passage with messages like “Support TROA, a bill that MUST become law,” and “Please sign.” Their consistent message was that TROA was essential for addressing the “obesity crisis”.

To intensify their efforts, HCPs began tagging senators directly, urging them to support the bill. Psychiatrist Jasleen, for example, highlighted the disproportionate impact of obesity on marginalised communities, sharing, “#TROA removes barriers for people affected by #obesity. Nearly 50% of Black and Latinx Americans are living with the disease. @SenMarkKelly @SenatorSinema support #TROA.” Others amplified patients’ voices, sharing posts about struggles with accessing treatment, with  the post below reading: “Please help us care for patients better.”

By June 10th, 2022, TROA had reached 167 congressional supporters.  Although the online HCP movement was gaining momentum, by the end of 2022, “The #TROA bill [remained] largely ignored by the US government.”  Despite this, HCPs continued their advocacy for legislative support. 

B. TROA is reintroduced in Congress, HCPs look forward with anticipation to the outcome

Continuing into 2023, 74 HCPs remained actively engaged in advocating for TROA. Among them, Neil Floch was the most active author. He contributed significantly to the conversation with 194 posts advocating for access to obesity treatments, 24 of which specifically focused on TROA. His posts were shared 278 times, amplifying his message within the medical community, and he was referenced 160 times throughout the year. In his posts about TROA, Floch frequently discussed the struggle for equitable coverage of obesity treatments; he emphasised the pressure on insurance companies to expand coverage for medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound

Indeed, HCPs shared similar views to Dr. Floch’s. For instance, Internal Medicine Physician, Angela Fitch, shared Novo Nordisk’s positive SELECT trial results, adding “Let’s pass #TROA and make obesity treatment a standard benefit on health plans across the US.”

Neil Floch is the HCP most active on advocating for accessible obesity treatment on X in 2023

Throughout the year, HCPs participated in various advocacy activities for TROA such as webinars and attending the ObesityPAC’s reception hosted by The American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. Hence, when TROA was reintroduced on July 21st, 19 HCPs subsequently expressed gratitude for the bill and Congress’ involvement.  

A significant milestone in the online conversation occurred on September 19th when the House Committee on Energy and Commerce discussed TROA.  24 HCPs closely followed these proceedings, commending members of the committee for their dedication to advancing critical healthcare legislation like TROA.

While the hearing brought attention to the bill, it did not result in immediate legislative action or passage of the act.  Nonetheless, HCPs continued to “hope” for TROA’s passage.

Endocrinologist Beverly Tchang shared a blog from obesity advocate Ted Kyle, which summed up 2023 efforts: “Pressure [was] mounting for better access to these treatments.”

C. HCPs celebrate TROA amendment 

In 2024, the advocacy around TROA revealed the continued commitment of HCPs to addressing obesity care. In the first half of the year, 50 HCPs actively contributed to the online conversation, collectively posting over 120 times about TROA. As the House Ways and Means Committee prepared for a crucial vote in June, HCPs amplified their calls for the bill’s passage; the call to action was clear: “We need passage of #TROA so more people can access care!”

 

Leading up to June 27th, HCPs eagerly anticipated the outcome of the House Ways and Means Committee’s markup session on TROA. Their online posts shared the Obesity Action Coalition’s “ACTION ALERT,” which highlighted the significance of this moment in expanding obesity care for older adults on Medicare. The proposed amendment marked a “key step toward broader treatment options for Medicare beneficiaries”, driving online engagement among HCPs with them mentioning Patient advocacy groups (PAGs) and Congress accounts. 

Most mentioned social media accounts by HCPs in 2024 when discussing TROA

When the amended version of TROA passed with a bipartisan vote of 36-4, HCPs celebrated this milestone, sharing their relief and optimism. The volume of conversation was 2500% higher than usual, driven by messages like, “Big news”  and “After a decade of toiling away for this, we are FINALLY on the road to progress.”  

 

Additionally, the global reach of these discussions remained significant throughout the first half of 2024. HCPs from countries such as the UK, Mexico, India, and Spain actively participated, highlighting that, although TROA is a US-based legislative issue, it resonates internationally. The 120 HCP posts in 2024 alone reached nearly 600,000 accounts worldwide. 

Location of HCPs discussing TROA in 2024

The role of social media in HCP advocacy for policy change

The story of HCPs’ advocacy for TROA revealed a broader truth: HCPs care deeply about the real-world implications of legislation, especially when it affects patient health. Throughout their online conversations, it became clear that access to obesity treatments, equitable healthcare, and reducing stigma were key priorities. Their persistent efforts to push for TROA’s passage reflected a commitment to ensuring patients receive the care they deserve, regardless of the barriers posed by insurance.

Social media has proven to be a powerful tool for HCPs to amplify their voices. Platforms like X allow them to raise awareness, share updates, and rally support for legislative changes that affect patient outcomes. The reach and immediacy of social media enable HCPs to engage not only with each other but also with policymakers and the broader public, making it an essential space for advocacy.

If you would like to explore more about this, why not check out our resources: Deepening perspectives: How social media is driving our understanding of HCP sentiment,  What Do HCPs Think the Future of Oncology Treatment Looks Like?, or get in touch. 

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Meet the Author

Doménica Carpio

Domé brings a unique mix of skills, combining an academic background in Media Communications and Project Management, all of which she uses to help pharmaceutical companies digest data and turn it into actionable insights.

Domé loves football, Middle Earth and quality time with friends.

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