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The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease Chronic Disease Patients Prioritized in Trump Administration Executive Order Since 2007, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) has been an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease. The Problem: Preventable and Mismanaged Chronic Disease Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, COPD, cancer, depression, obesity and heart disease, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and account for the vast majority of health care spending. More than one in two American adults lives with at least one chronic condition and nearly one in three liv e with two or more chronic conditions. Chronic diseases are also the primary driver of health care costs—accounting for 90 cents of every dollar we spend on health care in this country. In 2011, this amounted to $2.3 trillion of the $2.7 trillion spent on health care. Despite these widespread problems, the issue of chronic disease does not register with large segments of the public and policymakers as an issue of primary concern. The Solution: A National Partnership Aimed at Fighting Chronic Disease As the CDC has said, “The United States cannot effectively address escalating health care costs without addressing the problem of chronic diseases.” Added to that, the World Health Organization estimates that as much as 80 percent of premature heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, and 40 percent of cancers could be avoided entirely if Americans avoided tobacco, developed healthier eating habits, and were more physically active . That’s why a broad group of patient, provider, community, business and labor groups, and health policy experts, joined together to form the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD)—a coalition committed to raising awareness of the rising rates of preventable and treatable chronic diseases. Our Mission: Rising rates of chronic diseases pose an unsustainable burden on our health care system. The viability and strength of the system—now and in the future—rely on a willingness to enact policies that help Americans better prevent and manage chronic illnesses. As a result, the mission of the PFCD is to: Drive awareness of burden of chronic disease and solutions at work shown to improve health for individuals and communities Empower change in how we prevent and treat chronic disease in America to enhance health Challenge decision-makers to adopt policy changes necessary to prevent and lessen burden of chronic disease

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease Resources RESOURCES > OBESITY Obesity #Fight4Health: In 2013, the American Medical Association declared obesity a disease. Since then, the prevalence and impacts of this disease have been even further widespread. Policy support on the national and state level is urgently needed to better address this costly chronic disease. Obesity in the U.S. amounts to about $173 billion a year in healthcare costs. Obesity spans all ages and ethnicities. PETITION PFCD Requests Meeting with Dr. Oz VIDEO Obe$ity in America: Making Cost Reducation a Reality BLOG America Has Both an Obesity and a Health Care Cost Problem TAKE ACTION Making America Healthy Can't Wait - Petition & Letter Opportunities WEBINAR Weighing In: How Can We Make the Most Impact on Obesity? INFOGRAPHIC Obe$ity is an increasingly costly disease JOURNAL 12/5/24: JAMA Network Estimated Reduction in Health Care Spending Associated with Weight Los in Adults PRESS RELEASE 12/5/24: New Analysis Shows Weight Loss Saves Employers and Medicare Health Care Costs 2/26/24 PFCD Chair Ken Thorpe in Medical Economics "The burden of obesity isn't measured just in pounds" 2/26/24 PFCD Chair Ken Thorpe in Medical Economics "The burden of obesity isn't measured just in pounds" 11/14/2023 American Medical Association (AMA) urges insurance coverage parity for emerging obesity treatment options NIDDK Overweight & Obesity Statistics 2023 CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps U.S. DATA MAP:

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease What's the Latest Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease Urges Lawmakers to Address Ongoing Gaps that Undermine Patient Access and Innovation, Build on Reforms May 15, 2025 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) today issued the following statement in response to the... 6 days ago Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease Urges President Trump to Withdraw "Most Favored Nation" Executive Order Threatening Innovation and Patient Access to Treatment May 12, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD ) issued the following statement in strong opposition to... PRESS RELEASE May 12 Medicaid Patients at Risk of Losing Ground Against Chronic Disease There is no ignoring the facts. The United States faces a chronic disease crisis, and the Trump administration is correct to prioritize... BLOG May 8 Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease Urges Policy Makers to Protect Medicaid, Reject Most Favored Nation Pricing Proposal and Prioritize Patient Access May 5, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) today called on Congressional leaders and the Trump... PRESS RELEASE May 5 May 19 Webinar - Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: What New Data Tells Us About Access and Cost FULL VIDEO RECORDING The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: What New Data Tells Us About Access and Cost EVENT May 2 Statement from Former Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD, in Response to Trump Administration Executive Order April 18, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease released the following statement on behalf of PFCD policy... PRESS RELEASE Apr 18 Chronic Disease Patients Prioritized in Trump Administration Executive Order Successfully addressing the true cost drivers in health care requires policies that recognize the promise of small molecules and stop the... PRESS RELEASE Apr 16 April 30 - Symposium: Prevention & Treatment of Chronic Disease in the Southeast PFCD Chair Ken Thorpe & the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) invites you to join us for this hybrid event focused on an array... EVENT Apr 15 Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease Statement on Americans’ Access to Anti-Obesity Medications April 4, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) released the following statement in response to the... PRESS RELEASE Apr 3 New Poll: Majority of Seniors with Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Remain Unaware of New Payment Options Results Show Interest in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Increases as American Seniors Learn More About It April 3, 2025... PRESS RELEASE Apr 2 New Research Shows Prescription Drug Affordability Boards Will NOT Benefit Patients Findings Show Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) Could Increase Costs and Restrict Access to Critical Medicines March 31, 2025 (Washington,... PRESS RELEASE Mar 30 America has both an obesity and health care cost problem. Their coexistence is not coincidental. New data application from a recent study further illuminates the relationship between the two... BLOG Feb 21 Biden Administration’s Latest List of Drugs Selected for Medicare Pricing Exacerbates Access and Innovation Risks to People Living with Cancers & Other Chronic Diseases January 17, 2025 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) Today, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) released the following statement in response... PRESS RELEASE Jan 17 NEW ANALYSIS SHOWS WEIGHT LOSS SAVES EMPLOYERS AND MEDICARE HEALTH CARE COSTS Modest weight loss among adults with obesity cuts health care spending by 15%, reduces costs across comorbidities December 5, 2024... PRESS RELEASE Dec 5, 2024 New Poll: Bipartisan Majority Believes Medicare Beneficiaries Should Have Access to FDA-approved Early Alzheimer's Medications the Same Way They Do for All Other Diseases American voters are willing to pay more to ensure access and want Congress to step in if Medicare continues restricting access to... PRESS RELEASE Oct 9, 2024 Chronic Disease Patient Groups Call on Congress to Protect Small Molecule Medicine Access and Innovation September 13, 2024 (Washington, DC) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) released the following statement upon delivery of a... PRESS RELEASE Sep 12, 2024 NEW DATA ILLUSTRATE HUMAN IMPACTS OF FEWER TREATMENTS RESULTING FROM INFLATION REDUCTION ACT’S PRICE CONTROLS Case studies highlight peril to treatment advances across several disease states August 14, 2024 (WASHINGTON, DC) The Partnership to... PRESS RELEASE Aug 14, 2024 Prescription Drug Affordability Board might not deliver savings to patients By Hannah Pfeiffer and Candace DeMatteis June 5, 2024 Boulder Daily Camera A group of unelected state officials is pondering a decision... BLOG Jun 4, 2024 New Insurer Perspectives Highlight Considerable Patient Challenges Anticipated from Prescription Drug Affordability Boards April 2, 2024 (Washington, DC) Today the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) released a new white paper, “ Health Plans... PRESS RELEASE Apr 1, 2024 PRESERVING ACCESS TO SMALL MOLECULE MEDICINES CRITICAL FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS February 1, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) Today the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) applauded Representatives Greg Murphy (R-NC),... PRESS RELEASE Feb 1, 2024 NEW ANALYSIS FINDS ACCELERATED APPROVAL DRUGS DO NOT DRIVE MEDICAID SPENDING Findings Published in Health Affairs Forefront Precedent-setting policies to restrict access to accelerated approval drugs do not reduce... PRESS RELEASE Jun 2, 2022 Compromising Patient Access Is Not a Path Forward for Alzheimer’s Disease CMS decision harms current and future treatment options for Alzheimer's and other chronic disease populations April 8, 2022 (Washington,... PRESS RELEASE Apr 7, 2022 NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE COSTS EXCEED $655 BILLION A YEAR IN MEDICAL EXPENSES AND ECONOMIC LOSSES Lack of cures combined with minimal viable treatments compounds increasing health and caregiving costs May 27, 2021 (WASHINGTON, D.C.)... PRESS RELEASE May 26, 2021 NEW ANALYSIS OF MEDICAID SPENDING REINFORCES VALUE AND PATIENT IMPACT OF FDA ACCELERATED APPROVAL PATHWAY Data support preserving access to accelerated approval drugs for the seriously ill Commentary in the American Journal of Managed Care... PRESS RELEASE Mar 29, 2021

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating fatal disease, causing progressive damage that steadily erodes memory, thinking, and daily functioning. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia – an overall term for a group of neurological conditions affecting cognition, memory, communication, problem-solving, and concentration – that involves specific brain changes, including the excessive accumulation of the protein beta-amyloid and tau proteins. Today, approximately  7.2 million Americans  age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. The societal burden of this disease is staggering; in 2025 alone, the total cost of dementia in the U.S. will hit  $781 billion . Dementia requires direct medical and long-term care costs for families, as well as approximately 6.8 billion hours of unpaid caregiving by family members and friends to people living with these diseases.  Fortunately, recent and ongoing research has shown promise. Medical progress has given us an opportunity to slow disease progression – and one day, could help do so even before symptoms appear. Yet despite the growing promise and treatments currently available to slow the disease, Americans battling Alzheimer’s continue to face enormous hurdles that block access to timely, effective care. These challenges begin with delayed diagnoses and extend through treatment, with disproportionate impacts on underserved communities. One of the most significant barriers today stems from Medicare’s decision to restrict access to FDA-approved Alzheimer’s therapies by requiring enrollment in  cumbersome coverage with evidence development (CED) registries . While meant to support research, conditioning Medicare coverage on participating in research creates administrative quagmires. For patients, their loved ones and caregivers these delays are more than just frustrating – they’re dangerous. Each day, an  estimated 3,000 people with Alzheimer’s  may progress beyond the reach of early-stage treatment. The process patients and their physicians must navigate --ranging from an often lengthy journey to diagnosis to insurance hurdles all along the way -- highlights the added and unnecessary barriers to care. This approach not only threatens current access but sets a precedent for future therapies, potentially deterring innovation and investment in the Alzheimer’s space. It’s time for policymakers to act. Washington can clear the path for Alzheimer’s disease. We must streamline access to treatments already deemed safe and effective .  It’s time to shift the focus from red tape to real solutions – for the millions of Americans who can’t afford to wait.

FULL VIDEO RECORDING

PFCD Chair Ken Thorpe & the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) invites you to join us for this hybrid event focused on an array of issues related to prevention and treatment of costly chronic conditions. SYMPOSIUM PRE-READ DOCUMENT FULL VIDEO RECORDING Questions? Jennifer.Burke@fightchronicdisease.org