I am a caregiver at the Cleveland Clinic, a global leader in healthcare with hospitals worldwide. Like many others, I have struggled with obesity my entire adult life. It's not about food choices or activity levels - I had weight loss surgery, lost 60 pounds, only to regain 20 pounds while consuming just 1100 calories per day and maintaining an active lifestyle. When I started Mounjaro, it was transformative; 18 months later and down by 120 pounds (160 total), it has changed my life. Within hours of the first shot I felt like it fixed something that was broken in me. I continued to doubt that it would work for me, but here I am an absolute success story.

The journey is not easy, many caregivers at Cleveland Clinic are shamed and blamed for being overweight while the institution refuses to cover scientifically proven weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound. Obesity is a disease that has proven medical treatments available now and as a leader in healthcare, Cleveland Clinic owes its caregivers truly comprehensive, effective treatments for their chronic condition of obesity.

Obesity affects nearly one-third of adults in America (source: CDC). It's time we stop blaming lifestyle choices for this metabolic chronic condition and give caregivers access to these life-saving medications. The refusal of coverage by institutions like Cleveland Clinic only adds to the stigma surrounding obesity.

Let us urge Cleveland Clinic to provide coverage for these effective weight loss medications and end the shaming of its caregivers who are battling obesity every day. Please sign this petition today!