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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 Privacy Policy Last Updated: February 6, 2026 Your privacy is important to us at Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (collectively “PFCD,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), and we are committed to safeguarding, preserving, and respecting your privacy rights. This online privacy Policy (the “Policy”) describes how we collect, use, disclose, and secure the personal information we gather about you through our website, https://www.fightchronicdisease.org (the “Site”), when you use our sites, apps, and when you otherwise interact with us (collectively, the “Services”). For purposes of this Policy, personal information means data that classifies as personal information, personal data, personally identifiable information, or similar terms under applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations. It does not include data excluded or exempted from those laws and regulations, such as aggregated, anonymized, or deidentified data. Nothing in this Policy will constitute an admission or evidence that any particular data privacy or information security law or regulation applies to PFCD generally or in any specific context. In providing our Services, PFCD may collect personal information on behalf and as a service provider for third parties. This Policy does not govern any information we collect on behalf of third parties, and you should consult their privacy policies to become familiar with their data collection and usage practices. You agree to receive recurring automated informational text (e.g., SMS and MMS) messages from Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, including text messages that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system, to the mobile telephone number you provided when signing up or any other number that you designate. All the different types of messages you may receive (Informational messages, vote reminders, shall be known collectively as the "Programs." Consent to receive automated informational text messages is not a condition of any purchase. PFCD maintains strict privacy policies, ensuring that personal information of our users and members is not sold, rented, released, or traded to others without prior consent or a legal obligation. Personal information includes name, email address, phone number, and other contact information. SMS Opt-Out: If you are receiving text messages from us and wish to stop receiving them, simply respond with “STOP” to the number from which you received the message. Once we receive your message, you will no longer receive further text messages from us. 1. Cost Msg & Data rates may apply. Please consult with your carrier for rate information. 2. Message Frequency Message frequency will vary. We reserve the right to alter the frequency of messages sent at any time, so as to increase or decrease the total number of sent messages. We also reserve the right to change the phone number from which messages are sent. Not all mobile devices or handsets may be supported and our messages may not be deliverable in all areas. Our service providers and the mobile carriers supported by the program are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. 3. Cancellation If you do not wish to continue participating in any Program or no longer agree to these Terms, you agree to text the applicable Short Code (or regular long code phone number where applicable) or directly reply to any mobile message received from a Program with STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT in order to opt out of that Program at any time. You may receive an additional mobile message confirming your decision to opt out. You understand and agree that the foregoing options are the only reasonable and exclusive methods of opting out. You also understand and agree that any other method of opting out, including, but not limited to, texting words or phrases other than those set forth above or verbally requesting to be removed from our list, is not a reasonable means of opting out. You may be subscribed to multiple Programs across different Short Codes or regular long code phone numbers, and therefore you must separately text or reply STOP to each Short Code or long code phone number from which you wish to unsubscribe. 4. Support For support regarding the Program, text “HELP” to the applicable Program’s Short Code or long code or email us at info@fightchronicdisease.org . Please note that the use of this email address, or texting “HELP” to the Program’s Short or long Code is not an acceptable method of opting out of the program. Opt-outs must be submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth above. Our Disclaimer of Warranty The Programs are offered on an "as-is" basis and may not be available in all areas at all times and may not continue to work in the event of product, software, coverage or other changes made by your wireless carrier. We will not be liable for any delays or failures in the receipt of any mobile messages connected with any Program. Delivery of mobile messages is subject to effective transmission from your wireless service provider/network operator, and is outside of our control. We are not liable for delayed or undelivered mobile messages. 5. Privacy Policy We respect your privacy. We will only use information you provide to transmit your mobile messages and respond to you, if necessary. This includes sharing information with our program partners, message content providers, phone companies, and vendors who assist us in the delivery of mobile messages. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION, WE DO NOT SELL, RENT, LOAN, TRADE, LEASE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER FOR PROFIT ANY PHONE NUMBERS OR CUSTOMER INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH PROGRAMS TO ANY THIRD PARTY. No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. Nonetheless, we reserve the right at all times to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any law, regulation or governmental request, to avoid liability, or to protect our rights or property. When you complete forms online or otherwise provide us information in connection with a Program, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and true information. You agree not to use a false or misleading name or a name that you are not authorized to use. If in our sole discretion, we believe that any such information is untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete, or you have opted into a Program for an ulterior purpose, we may refuse you access to the Program and pursue any appropriate legal remedies. This Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions is strictly limited to these texting Programs and has no effect on any other privacy policy(ies) that may govern the relationship between you and us in other contexts. 6. You Consent to This Policy You should read this Policy carefully, so that you understand our privacy practices and our Terms of Use. By accessing, browsing, downloading, or otherwise using the Services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed with this Policy. If you do not agree to this Policy, you may not use the Services. This Policy and the Terms of Use apply regardless of how the Services are accessed and will cover any technologies or devices by which we make the Services available to you. We may provide you with additional privacy notices where we believe it is appropriate to do so. It is important that you read this Policy together with any other privacy notice or terms we may provide on specific occasions, so that you are fully aware of how and why we are using your data. This Policy supplements these other notices and is not intended to override them. If you have any questions or concerns about our personal information policies or practices, you can contact us in the methods described in the “Contact Us” section below. 7. Types of Information We Collect We collect information you voluntarily provide directly to us, information that we collect automatically when you interact with the Services, and information collected from third parties. The categories of personal information that we collect and the purposes for which we collect that information are described below. (a) Categories of Personal Information We Collect The following list describes the categories of personal information we collect. Text Message Opt-In Information includes your opt-in consent to receive marketing messages from us through short codes or similar means. We collect this information for providing the Services, marketing and advertising our products and services, and for administrative purposes Analytics Information. We collect certain analytics information automatically as you navigate our Services. This includes cookies, tracking pixels, tags or similar tools, which may collect information about your browser, device, geolocation, and interactions with the Services, Site, or emails. For more information, please view the “How We Use “Cookies” and Other Tracking Technologies” section below. We collect this information for the purposes of account creation and management, advertising and marketing, analytics and research, customer service, and website security and maintenance. Contact Information includes name, zip code, email address, and phone number. We collect this information when you provide it directly to us, through publicly available sources, or from other public action committees or political organizations. Petition, Campaign, and Voting Information means information relating to you engagement with us, petitions, or campaigns, as well as public voter data. We collect this information from publicly available sources, or from other political action committees or political organizations. Social Media Information includes information that you post by sharing on a blog or another social media platform. We collect this information when you provide it directly to us. Please note that your comments will be visible to the public, so you should never share personal information that you would like to keep private. User-Generated Content. If you post, upload, comment, or otherwise submit content on the Services, we may collect certain information about you such as your name and email address and products you may have purchased. Be aware that as a default, any information you post on the Services, including without limitation reviews, comments, and text, may be available to and searchable by all users of the Services. We collect this information for the purposes of account creation and management, advertising and marketing, analytics and research, customer service, and website security and maintenance. (b) How We May Collect, Use, or Share the Information We may also reserve the right to collect, use, or share personal information for the following purposes: To Provide the Services. We will use your personal information to provide the Services, including to improve operations and offerings, and for security purposes. To Present the Site. We will use personal information to present our Site and its contents in a suitable and effective manner for you and your device. Election and Political Activities. We may use your personal information in connection with our election and political activities, including advertising efforts. For Legal Purposes. We reserve the right to cooperate with local, provincial, state, federal and international officials in any investigation requiring either personal information or reports about lawful or unlawful user activity on this site. We also reserve the right to share your personal information to establish, exercise, or defend our legal and property rights, including providing information to others for the purposes of fraud prevention. We may also share your personal information with any person who we reasonably believe may apply to a court or other competent authority for disclosure of that personal information where, in our reasonable opinion, such court or authority would be reasonably likely to order disclosure of that personal information. If we are ordered by a legal process or government to provide data about one or more individual users, we will notify those users of our compliance with that order, to the extent permitted by law. Business Partners and Affiliates. We may collect personal information from and share personal information with our business partners and affiliates, including legal advisors and financial advisors, co-branded partners, and other third parties. We may combine that information with other information we collect about you, but we will always use the information as described in this Policy. We may also share information with our affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures or other companies under common control. Business Transactions or Mergers. We reserve the right to share your personal information to third parties as part of any potential business or asset sale, merger, acquisition, investment, round of funding, or similar type of transaction. Additionally, if we are entering into a corporate transaction with a third party, we may receive personal information in connection with the diligence. If we close a transaction, the third party may transfer personal information, which we would use as described in this Policy. Bankruptcy or Insolvency. In the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or dissolution proceedings, we may share your personal information with third parties as part of the sale or reorganization process. Provide Information and Opportunities. We will use your personal information to advertise travel opportunities, promotions, products, events, or Services that we think may be of interest to you. Service Providers. We use service providers to perform various functions on our behalf, including background screening service providers. Such service providers will be under contractual obligations to safeguard your personal information and only process it in accordance with our instructions, or as otherwise permitted by applicable laws. We may also receive personal information from service providers. 8. How We Use “Cookies” and Other Tracking Technologies We may send one or more cookies to your computer or other device. We may also use other similar technologies such as tracking pixels, tags, or similar tools when you visit our Services. These technologies can collect data regarding your operating system, browser type, device type, screen resolution, IP address, and other technical information, as well as navigation events and session information as you interact with our Services. This information allows us to understand how you use the Services. (a) Cookies Cookies are small files created by websites, including our Services, that reside on your computer’s hard drive and that store information about your use of a particular website. When you access our Services, we use cookies and other tracking technologies to: · Estimate our audience size and usage patterns; · Store information about your preferences, allowing us to customize our Services according to your individual needs; · Contact you to provide you with information or services that you request from us; · Advertise new content, events, and services that relate to your interests; · Provide you with more personalized content that is most relevant to your interest areas; and · Recognize when you return to our Services. We set some cookies ourselves and others are set by third parties. You can manage your cookies preference as described in the “Managing Your Cookies” section below. The following chart lists the different types of cookies that we and our service providers use on the Services, examples of who serves those cookies and links to the privacy notices and opt-out information of those cookie servers. Because the specific cookies we use may vary over time, as well as differ by the specific page you are browsing, the below chart is illustrative only. We do not use analytical tools in a manner that discloses to third parties that a specific person viewed specific video materials. (c) Cookie Retention Period Some cookies operate from the time you visit the Services until the end of that particular browsing session. These cookies, which are called “session cookies,” expire and are automatically deleted when you close your Internet browser. Some cookies will stay on your device between browsing sessions and will not expire or automatically delete when you close your Internet browser. These cookies are called “persistent cookies” and the length of time they will remain on your device will vary from cookie to cookie. Persistent cookies are used for a number of purposes, such as storing your preferences so that they are available for your next visit and to keep a more accurate account of how often you visit the Services, how your use of the Services may change over time, and the effectiveness of advertising efforts. (d) Managing Your Cookies It may be possible to block cookies by changing your Internet browser settings to refuse all or some cookies. If you choose to block all cookies (including essential cookies), you may not be able to access all or parts of the Services. You can find out more about cookies and how to manage them by visiting https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/. (e) Site Response to “Do Not Track” Signals At this time, our Site does not respond differently based on a user’s Do Not Track signal. 9. Advertising and Marketing Choices We respect your rights in how your personal information is used and shared. We may communicate with you via email, telephone, postal mail, and/or your mobile device about our products and services. If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future marketing emails, you can email us at info@betterhospitalsnow.org or follow the instructions at the bottom of each applicable email, and we will promptly remove you from those marketing correspondences that you choose to no longer receive. Please note, however, that we may still need to contact you regarding other matters. 10. How Long Your Personal Information Is Kept We will retain your personal information until the personal information is no longer necessary to accomplish the purpose for which it was provided. We may retain your personal information for longer periods for specific purposes to the extent that we are obliged to do so in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, to protect you, other people, and us from fraud, abuse, an unauthorized access, as necessary to protect our legal rights, or for certain business requirements. We will delete your personal information when it is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or upon your request, subject to exceptions as discussed in this Policy or under applicable law, contract, or regulation. 11. Our Commitment to Data Security The security of your personal information is important to us. We take various reasonable organizational, administrative, and technical measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. If required by law to do so, we will notify you and/or the relevant supervisory authority in the event of a data breach. However, we cannot and do not guarantee complete security, as it does not exist on the Internet. 12. Where Your Personal Information Is Held We process personal information on our servers in the United States of America, and may do so in other countries. If you use our Services or otherwise provide us with information from outside of the United States, you expressly consent to the transfer of your data to the United States, the processing of your data in the United States, and the storage of your data in the United States. 13. Third Party Links Our Services may contain links to third-party websites. When we provide links, we do so only as a convenience and we are not responsible for any content of any third-party website or any links contained within. It is important to note that this Policy only applies to our Services. We are not responsible and assume no responsibility for any personal information collected, stored, or used by any third party as a result of you visiting third-party websites. We also advise that you carefully read the privacy notice of any third-party websites you choose to visit. 14. Children’s Privacy Protecting the privacy of the very young is especially important. Our Services are not intended for children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. In the event that we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under age 13 without verification or parental consent, we will immediately delete that information. If you believe that we might have any information from or about a child under 13, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below. 15. Policy Changes This Policy may change from time to time. If we need to change this Policy at some point in the future, we will post any changes on this page. If we make a significant or material change to this Policy we will notify you via email. You should check these terms when you use the Site. Your continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the most current version of this Policy. 16. Contact Us If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us by email at info@fightchronicdisease.org .

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 Terms of Use Last Updated: February 6, 2026 Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease You agree to receive recurring automated informational text (e.g., SMS and MMS) messages from the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, including text messages that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system, to the mobile telephone number you provided when signing up or any other number that you designate. All the different types of messages you may receive (Informational messages, vote reminders, shall be known collectively as the "Programs." Consent to receive automated informational text messages is not a condition of any purchase. Cost Msg & Data rates may apply. Please consult with your carrier for rate information. Message Frequency Message frequency will vary. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease reserves the right to alter the frequency of messages sent at any time, so as to increase or decrease the total number of sent messages. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease also reserves the right to change the phone number from which messages are sent. Not all mobile devices or handsets may be supported and our messages may not be deliverable in all areas. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, its service providers and the mobile carriers supported by the program are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Cancellation If you do not wish to continue participating in any Program or no longer agree to these Terms, you agree to text the applicable Short Code (or regular long code phone number where applicable) or directly reply to any mobile message received from a Program with STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT in order to opt out of that Program at any time. You may receive an additional mobile message confirming your decision to opt out. You understand and agree that the foregoing options are the only reasonable and exclusive methods of opting out. You also understand and agree that any other method of opting out, including, but not limited to, texting words or phrases other than those set forth above or verbally requesting the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease to remove you from our list, is not a reasonable means of opting out. You may be subscribed to multiple Programs across different Short Codes or regular long code phone numbers, and therefore you must separately text or reply STOP to each Short Code or long code phone number from which you wish to unsubscribe. Support For support regarding the Program, text “HELP” to the applicable Program’s Short Code or long code, or email us at info@fightchronicdisease.org . Please note that the use of this email address, or texting “HELP” to the Program’s Short or long Code is not an acceptable method of opting out of the program. Opt outs must be submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth above. Our Disclaimer of Warranty The Programs are offered on an "as-is" basis and may not be available in all areas at all times and may not continue to work in the event of product, software, coverage or other changes made by your wireless carrier. We will not be liable for any delays or failures in the receipt of any mobile messages connected with any Program. Delivery of mobile messages is subject to effective transmission from your wireless service provider/network operator and is outside of our control. We are not liable for delayed or undelivered mobile messages. Privacy Policy We respect your privacy. We will only use information you provide to transmit your mobile messages and respond to you, if necessary. This includes sharing information with our program partners, message content providers, phone companies, and vendors who assist us in the delivery of mobile messages. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION, WE DO NOT SELL, RENT, LOAN, TRADE, LEASE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER FOR PROFIT ANY PHONE NUMBERS OR CUSTOMER INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH PROGRAMS TO ANY THIRD PARTY. Nonetheless, we reserve the right at all times to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any law, regulation or governmental request, to avoid liability, or to protect our rights or property. When you complete forms online or otherwise provide us information in connection with a Program, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and true information. You agree not to use a false or misleading name or a name that you are not authorized to use. If in our sole discretion, we believe that any such information is untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete, or you have opted into a Program for an ulterior purpose, we may refuse you access to the Program and pursue any appropriate legal remedies. This Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions is strictly limited to these Programs and has no effect on any other privacy policy(ies) that may govern the relationship between you and us in other contexts.

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.

February 4, 2026 (WASHINGTON, D.C.)  The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) applauds the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 and its inclusion of many important health care elements that support efforts to better prevent and manage costly chronic conditions. Notably, the bill will increase transparency and lower health care costs for people living with one or more chronic conditions by instituting much needed reforms for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in both Medicare Part D and the commercial market. This represents an important first step toward holding PBMs accountable, protecting patient access, and improving the affordability of prescribed medications. More specifically, the PBM reforms included in this package would: Require Part D plans to contract with any pharmacy that meets reasonable, relevant standard terms, with HHS directed to define and enforce those standards beginning in 2029. Limit PBM compensation in Part D to flat, bona fide service fees, fully delinked from drug prices, formularies, and utilization, while passing through rebates and discounts. Mandate comprehensive PBM reporting in Part D on drug utilization, pricing, rebates, retained compensation, and PBM-owned pharmacy activity starting in 2028. Bar PBM contracts that restrict disclosure or reporting, ensuring access to financial and utilization data across the commercial market. Require regular, drug-level reporting to federal agencies on pricing, compensation, rebates, and benefit designs that steer patients to PBM-affiliated pharmacies for PBMs in the commercial market. Require PBMs serving ERISA plans to pass through 100% of rebates and related payments to the issuer, grant audit rights, and strengthen fee and rebate disclosure. The new law also enables better prevention and early detection of cancer by allowing Medicare to cover cutting-edge multi-cancer diagnostics that can detect multiple cancers from a single blood test. Other important provisions in this legislation that aim to advance the fight against chronic disease focus on improving access to care across Medicare and rural communities, funding research for cancer and Alzheimer’s and supporting mental health services. PFCD stands ready to engage with the Administration as relevant agencies work to implement this legislation. We call upon Congress to continue to pursue bipartisan, patient-centered reforms to PBM and health plan behaviors that inhibit access and affordability for the millions of U.S. individuals and families managing chronic conditions.

January 28, 2026 (Washington, D.C.)  The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement of 15 new drugs selected for price-setting in Initial Price Applicability Year (IPAY) 2028: “Prescription medicines are a cornerstone of chronic disease management for Medicare beneficiaries, the vast majority of whom rely on one or more medications every month to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. As CMS moves forward with the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, it is essential that efforts to lower government costs do not unintentionally restrict beneficiary access to medicines or undermine continued innovation for medicines that treat chronic conditions. “PFCD remains concerned that this program risks creating new barriers to care through increased utilization management practices, overly broad drug definitions, and insufficient safeguards against discriminatory value metrics. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) did nothing to address the role of pharmacy benefit managers, and CMS has refused to take action to protect patient access to price-set medicines. Coverage alone does not guarantee access. Step therapy, prior authorization, and formulary restrictions already delay or deny medically appropriate treatment, and the lack of CMS oversight may cause these insurer behaviors to increase as this program continues.   “Further, the IRA flat out ignores clinical realities and threats to innovation. Over the past several years, we have seen the impact that this law has had on the research and development of small molecule medicines, which are essential to the treatment of many chronic diseases and often preferred by seniors for their ease of use and accessibility. The earlier price-setting timeline for small molecule medicines continues to be a significant disincentive for investment. In this round of IPAY drug selection, six of the 15 medicines would not have been eligible had the small molecule penalty of the IRA been fixed. For that reason, we again call for Congress to support and pass the bipartisan EPIC Act ( H.R. 1492 / S.832 ). “PFCD urges CMS to strengthen beneficiary and caregiver engagement, enhance transparency around how patient input informs decision-making, and work proactively to prevent unintended consequences that could limit access, exacerbate disparities, or chill research into unmet medical needs. We stand ready to work with policymakers to ensure Medicare drug pricing policies protect patient access, reflect real-world clinical care, and support a health care system that prioritizes better health outcomes while responsibly managing long-term costs.”

Chronic conditions are the primary driver of rising U.S. health care spending across Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, a new study from the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) detailed last week. Costs are highly concentrated among patients living with three or more chronic conditions, and obesity plays a central role . PFCD Chair Kenneth Thorpe, PhD., and Peter Joski authored the new research report , which is particularly relevant leading up to two House hearings this Thursday. If chronic disease is the cost driver, insurance companies might be the engine. Five CEOs from large insurance companies are scheduled to meet first with the Committee on Energy and Commerce and then the Committee on Ways and Means. The largest U.S. insurance companies have vertically integrated into health care conglomerates that repeatedly prioritize profits over patients. This has led to a system that struggles to deliver timely, affordable treatment to Americans. About 60% of U.S adults live with at least one chronic condition, and 20% have multiple. The study uncovered how increased spending is linked to an increase in the number of patients with multiple chronic conditions, highlighting how per-person plan spending for privately insured patients with three or more chronic conditions rose 31% from 2011 to 2022. These patients comprise 27% of private-insurance patients but nearly 60% of category spending. In 2022, chronic disease accounted for 93% of Medicare spending and 82% of Medicaid spending. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last week that national health expenditures increased by 7.2% in 2024 , following a 7.2% surge in 2023. At $5.3 trillion, health care consumed a staggering 18% share of GDP in 2024. About four in 10 American adults have obesity. Among Medicaid beneficiaries managing four or more chronic conditions, more than half have obesity. The research makes clear that slowing unsustainable spending growth requires preventing the onset and progression of chronic disease, addressing obesity as a chronic illness, and improving care coordination. Meanwhile, many health experts observe an insurance marketplace that appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Rather than support prevention and better disease management, insurers are increasingly focused on maximizing profits through evolving formulary and utilization management practices that consolidate market power and slow access to necessary care. Insurers now own pharmacy benefit managers, provider groups, group purchasing organizations, and health systems. UnitedHealthcare alone operates nearly 2,700 subsidiaries . Insurance decision-making has shifted from patient-centered to business-centered. Utilization management, prior authorization requirements, and formulary restrictions routinely delay or deny medically necessary care. Rather than staying focused on delivering life-altering treatment, physicians are forced to navigate step therapy limitations, insurance denials, and other red tape. This leaves chronic disease patients waiting for approvals while their health deteriorates, ultimately leading to costly medical care and preventable hospitalizations. Congressional lawmakers should consider how current insurance practices are fueling increased costs throughout the health care system by ignoring the patients themselves and how they access the treatments and resources their physician recommends.