BILL NUMBER: S3104
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law and the insurance law, in
relation to requiring comprehensive coverage for treatment of obesity
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation will expand access to services and medications to treat
obesity.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new paragraph to subdivision (2) of section 365-a of
the social services law, requiring state sponsored health plans to
provide comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity.
Section 2 adds a new paragraph 39 to subsection (i) of section 3216 of
the insurance law, requiring commercial insurance policies to provide
comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity.
Section 3 adds a new paragraph 22 to subsection (1) of section 3221 of
the insurance law, applying these same provisions to group or blanket
policies that provide medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive-
type coverage.
Section 4 adds a new subsection (vv) to section 4303 of the insurance
law, applying these same provisions to group or blanket policies that
provide medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive-type coverage.
Section 5 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The rate of obesity has reached epidemic proportions in New York State,
affecting approximately 2 out of every 3 adult New Yorkers. According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is a serious
condition that increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart
disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and even death. Addi-
tionally, obesity is associated with substantial health care expendi-
tures, costing New York's already overburdened healthcare system over
$10 million annually.
Furthermore, disparities in obesity rates are significant across racial
and ethnic groups, with its prevalence being highest among adults who
are Black and Hispanic. These inequities underscore the need to address
social determinants of health and remove barriers to comprehensive
health care access.
Recent advances in understanding the underlying mechanisms of obesity
and drug therapy to treat obesity have provided the medical community
with additional safe and effective treatment options. To improve over-
all health and lower the risk of secondary complications caused by
obesity, it is critical that public policy ensure New Yorkers have
access to these obesity treatment, intervention, and management options.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.8959
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one hundred eighty days after it shall have
become law

Statutes affected:
S3104: 365-a social services law, 365-a(2) social services law, 3216 insurance law, 3216(i) insurance law, 3221 insurance law, 3221(l) insurance law, 4303 insurance law