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, and more recently access has fallen under attack.  

When insurance fails to cover these widely prescribed treatments, patients who cannot afford the steep monthly costs are left to fight obesity and related health impacts on their own. Some fall victim to predatory scams touting the use of unregulated, ineffective, and sometimes dangerous products that claim to provide the same benefits as clinically tested medications. Access to healthcare should not be dependent on one’s ability to pay.   

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, reduce long-term healthcare costs for our commonwealth, 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, liver disease 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.