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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
Senate: HHS DPA 6-0-1-0 | Third Read 27-0-3-0 |
SB 1621: obesity; prevention; treatment; advisory council
Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Establishes the Obesity Treatment and Prevention Advisory Council (Advisory Council) to analyze existing data and identify health care system gaps related to obesity treatment and prevention and outlines membership and reporting requirements.
History
Laws 2025, Chapter 218 established the Obesity Treatment Study Committee (Study Committee) to study the cost, potential savings, effectiveness, health outcomes and value of extending coverage under Arizona's Medicaid program to include comprehensive treatment for people living with obesity. The Study Committee issued it's final recommendations in December 2025, including: 1) recognizing obesity as a chronic disease; 2) establishing an advisory council to analyze existing data and identify health care system gaps related to obesity treatment and prevention; and 3) continuing and expanding engagement by relevant state agencies for the purposes of addressing and preventing obesity and related chronic diseases (Obesity Treatment Study Committee Final Report).
Established in 1981, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona's Medicaid program that oversees contracted health plans for the delivery of health care to individuals and families who qualify for Medicaid and other medical assistance programs. Through contracted health plans across the state, AHCCCS delivers health care to qualifying individuals including low-income adults, their children or people with certain disabilities. Members must meet certain financial and nonfinancial requirements to be eligible for AHCCCS (A.R.S. § 36-2901).
Provisions
1. Establishes the 11-member Advisory Council and outlines membership. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires the Advisory Council to meet at the call of the Co-Chairpersons. (Sec. 1)
3. Allows the Co-Chairpersons of the Advisory Council to establish subcommittees to address select issues and report to the Advisory Council as directed. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires the Advisory Council to:
a. analyze historical data and estimate the potential cost savings of providing Medicaid coverage for preventative care;
b. evaluate and recommend public policy and funding strategies;
c. identify health care system gaps; and
d. produce a report providing guidance and recommendations to educate the public, the Legislature and other government agencies and departments, as appropriate. (Sec. 1)
5. Requires the Advisory Council, by January 1, 2028, and January 1, 2029, to submit a report regarding the Advisory Council's activities, findings and recommendations for administrative or legislative action to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 1)
6. Repeals the Advisory Council on January 31, 2029. (Sec. 1)
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10. Initials AG/LK SB 1621
11. 3/18/2026 Page 0 Health & Human Services
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