Ask California Lawmakers to Support & Protect Coverage for Obesity Care

Background: For years, advocates have worked to improve access to care for Californians living with obesity. The California General Assembly introduced legislation to ensure patients and their healthcare providers have access to the full range of evidence-based treatment options needed for long-term health and weight management.

SB 535 – the Obesity Treatment Parity Act has passed in the California Senate. This legislation would require individual and group health care service plans to provide comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications.

This is a major step forward — but progress is at risk.

Governor Newsom’s proposed state budget includes language that would eliminate Medi-Cal coverage for GLP-1 medications starting in 2026. These medications have been available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries since 2023 and are already improving the health and quality of life for many Californians. Removing this coverage would be a harmful and inequitable setback, particularly for those who rely on Medi-Cal for their care.

Take Action Now: Use OAC’s advocacy tool below to urge California lawmakers to support full passage and enactment of SB535 and keep Medi-Cal coverage for GLP-1 medications.

It’s Easy to Advocate! Use our easy automated message generator below to get started. Once you enter your information, click “next” and you’ll find a template letter to get you started. We encourage you to personalize this letter before sending by including your story and thoughts before sending.