As a former City Councilman and Vice-Mayor of Knoxville, I’ve spent years working to improve the well-being of our community. From economic development to public health initiatives, I’ve seen firsthand how policies—good and bad—can shape the lives of our residents. One of the most pressing issues facing our city and state today is obesity. It’s not just a personal struggle; it’s a public health crisis with enormous financial consequences.
Tennessee ranks among the most obese states in the country. Nearly 70% of adults and over a third of children in our state are overweight or obese. This epidemic doesn’t just threaten our health—it’s a burden on taxpayers, employers, and our strained healthcare system. And yet, despite the clear science and the availability of effective treatments, outdated Medicare policies prevent coverage of FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs). That’s a policy failure that must be corrected.
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