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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 29, 2023 12:39 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Danielle Friel Otten |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Insurance Coverage of Obesity Treatments |
| Millions of Americans battle obesity every day, with many affected individuals struggling to manage their weight through increased dieting and exercise. More often than not, these efforts have limited success. Obesity is not a lifestyle choice, but rather a chronic disease that in many cases requires medical treatment and support. Modern advances in the field of obesity medicine have provided hope and healthier lives for countless Americans, but insurance coverage for anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and other approved obesity treatments remains inconsistent, leaving many Pennsylvanians to fight obesity on their own, or worse, fall victim to predatory scams and the use of unregulated, ineffective, and sometimes dangerous products that claim to provide the same benefits as prescribed and clinically tested AOMs. For these reasons, I am introducing legislation to require private and public insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover approved anti-obesity medications and procedures. Please join me in this effort to ensure coverage for obesity treatments and improve the treatment options available to individuals with obesity. This legislation would protect patient safety by ensuring access to regulated treatments and relieve the strain on our healthcare system by helping to reduce the prevalence of obesity-related health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes. Most importantly, expanding coverage under public and private health insurance plans would help individuals with obesity access the treatments they need to live longer, healthier lives. |