 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
obesity; prevention; treatment; advisory council
Purpose
Establishes the Obesity Treatment and Prevention Advisory Council (Advisory Council) to assess the potential cost savings of providing Medicaid coverage for preventive care, evaluating and recommending public policy and funding strategies and identifying health care system gaps. Outlines Advisory Council membership, duties and reporting requirements.
Background
Laws 2025, Chapter 218 established the Obesity Treatment Study Committee (Study Committee) to study the cost, potential savings, effectiveness, health outcomes and value of expanding coverage under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to include comprehensive treatment for people living with obesity. In 2025, the Study Committee issued its final recommendations, including a recommendation that the Legislature establish an advisory council to analyze historical data, estimate potential cost-savings from covering preventative care, evaluate and recommend public policy and funding strategies, identify system gaps and produce a report providing guidance and recommendations to educate the public, the Legislature and other government agencies and departments, as appropriate (Final Report of the Obesity Treatment Study Committee).
AHCCCS serves as
Arizona's Medicaid agency, which offers qualifying Arizona residents access to
healthcare programs, including behavioral health. AHCCCS consists of contracts
with contractors for the provision of hospitalization and medical care coverage
to members. (A.R.S.
§ 36-2903).
Obesity is a condition whereby an individual's weight exceeds what is generally considered healthy for the individual's height and is commonly measured by an individual's body mass index (BMI), which is calculated based on an individual's height and weight comparison. An individual with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, while an individual with a BMI exceeding 30 is considered to be suffering from obesity. Individuals who fall under the categories of overweight or obesity may be at increased risk for many related health problems (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Advisory Council, consisting of:
a) two
members of the Senate from different political parties, one of whom to serve as
co-chair, appointed by the President of the Senate (President);
b) two members of the House of Representatives from different political parties, one of whom to serve as co-chair, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker of the House).
c) the Director of AHCCCS or the Director's designee;
d) two members representing patient advocacy organizations with expertise in treating people living with obesity, appointed by the President;
e) two members representing medical societies or physician organizations or who are physicians with experience treating people living with obesity, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
f) one member who is a registered dietician with expertise in treating people living with obesity through diet, exercise, lifestyle changes or behavior modification, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
2. 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.
3. Requires the Advisory Council to meet at the call of the chairpersons.
4. Allows the cochairpersons of the Advisory Council to establish subcommittees to address and report on select issues, as directed.
5. Requires the Advisory Council to submit a report detailing its activities, findings and recommendations for administrative or legislative action to the Governor, President, Speaker of the House and the Secretary of State by December 31, 2027, and December 31, 2028.
6. Repeals the Advisory Council on January 31, 2029.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Allows the cochairpersons of the Advisory Council to establish subcommittees to address and report on select issues, as directed.
2. Removes the stipulation that Advisory Council members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses.
Senate Action
GOV 2/12/26 W/D
HHS 2/18/26 DPA 6-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
February 20, 2026
MM/hk