2024 Public Policy Comments

• • • January 4, 2024 – Alabama: OAC comments in support of proposed regulatory change to update Medicaid coverage for anti-obesity medications.
    • January 8, 2024 – OAC expresses support towards Maryland taking steps to establish essential health benefits for obesity care
    • January 8, 2024 – OAC comments on California policy proposals that improve coverage for evidence-based obesity care
    • January 16, 2024 – United States Preventive Services Task Force: OAC applauds USPSTF for updating intervention recommendations for children and adolescents with obesity.
    • January 18, 2024 – Kentucky: OAC offers strong support for increasing obesity care coverage under Medicaid.
    • January 25, 2024 – Virginia: OAC expresses concern about the budget proposal to limit anti-obesity medication coverage for only those with BMI of 40 or higher.
    • January 26, 2024 – North Carolina: OAC opposes decision by the North Carolina State Health Plan’s (NCSHP) Board of Trustees to exclude state employee coverage for FDA-approved GLP-1 anti-obesity medications.
    • February 12, 2024 – Colorado: OAC joins with leading obesity groups in support of legislation to prevent diabetes and treat obesity.
    • February 12, 2024 – Department of Justice: OAC comments on non-discrimination on the basis of disability and accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment.
    • February 14, 2024 – Nebraska: OAC writes in support of a bill that would provide evidence-based obesity care under Medicaid.
    • February 15, 2024 – OAC expresses support for the Preventive Health Savings Act.
    • February 19, 2024 – Maryland: OAC submits written testimony in support of obesity care for Maryland Medicaid.
    • February 27, 2024 – Oregon: OAC supports Access to Obesity Care for Oregon Medicaid.
    • March 6, 2024 – Maryland: OAC supports access to obesity care for Maryland Medicaid at House Committee Hearing
    • March 7, 2023 – West Virginia: OAC expresses disappointment in WV PEIA decision to drop coverage for anti-obesity medications
    • March 12, 2024 – Alabama: OAC Supports Protections from Weight-based Discrimination in Alabama
    • April 3, 2024 – Louisiana: OAC advocates for health insurance company coverage of metabolic and bariatric surgery
    • April 11, 2024 – Rhode Island: OAC encourages state Medicaid to improve obesity care and coverage
    • April 11, 2024 – Wisconsin: OAC joins with other leading obesity groups to encourage state employee coverage for obesity medications
    • April 15, 2024 – Louisiana: OAC supports access to obesity medications coverage for all Louisianans
    • April 17, 2024 – California: OAC supports obesity care parity
    • April 17, 2024 – Indiana: OAC agrees on need to study obesity care for Hoosiers
    • April 19, 2024 – Federal: OAC requests the House Ways & Means Committee to include TROA in their next markup
    • April 22, 2024 – Wyoming: OAC encourages improved access to care in Medicaid
    • May 2, 2024 – OAC Joins the National Minority Quality Forum in Requesting State Medicaid Programs to Cover Obesity Care to Address Health Disparities
    • May 6, 2024 – OAC and Leading Obesity Organizations Request Virginia to Remove Medicaid BMI Requirements from State Budget
    • May 17, 2024 – OAC Supports North Dakota Medicaid Coverage of Obesity Medications to Reduce the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events
    • May 20, 2024 – OAC Supports Legislation in New York to Ensure Access to Comprehensive Obesity Care
    • May 21, 2024 – OAC Encourages Oregon Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee to Cover Obesity Medication for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction
    • May 21, 2024 – OAC and 57 Organizations Request the Biden Administration to Provide Medicare Coverage for Obesity Care
    • June 4, 2024 – OAC advocates for veterans’ access to care for liver disease at Veterans Health Administration
    • June 26, 2024 – OAC joins support of the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee Markup of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act
    • June 26, 2024 – OAC joins in support of research funding for liver disease at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
    • July 12, 2024 – OAC applauds the Oregon P&T committee for approving prior authorization criteria to allow coverage of semaglutide for prevention of major cardiovascular events
    • July 23, 2024 – OAC stresses the importance of reinstating coverage for obesity medications for state employees in North Carolina