ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: HHS DP 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 26-3-1-0

SB 1711: AHCCCS; obesity treatment; study committee

Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Creates the Obesity Treatment Study Committee (Study Committee) to study the cost, effectiveness and value of extending coverage under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to include comprehensive treatment for people living with obesity. Prescribes Study Committee membership, duties and reporting requirements.

History

AHCCCS is Arizona's Medicaid program that oversees contracted health plans for the delivery of health care to individuals and families who qualify for Medicaid and other medical assistance programs. Through contracted health plans across the state, AHCCCS delivers health care to qualifying individuals including low-income adults, their children or people with certain disabilities. Current statute outlines covered health and medical services offered to AHCCCS members (A.R.S. § 36-2907).

Provisions

1. Establishes the Study Committee to study the cost, effectiveness and value of extending coverage under AHCCCS to include comprehensive treatment for people living with obesity. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies that the 11-member Study Committee consist of:

a) two members of the Senate who are from different political parties and appointed by the President of the Senate (President), one of whom to serve as cochairperson as designated by the President;

b) two members of the House of Representatives who are from different political parties and appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker of the House), one of whom to serve as cochairperson as designated by the Speaker of the House;

c) two members who represent patient advocacy organizations with expertise in treating people living with obesity and who are appointed by the President;

d) two members who represent medical societies or physician organizations or who are physicians with experience treating people living with obesity and who are appointed by the Speaker of the House;

e) the Director of AHCCCS or their designee;

f) the Director of Department of Health Services or their designee; and

g) the Director of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee or their designee. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires the Study Committee to meet at the call of the cochairpersons. (Sec. 1)

4. Specifies that Study Committee members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses. (Sec. 1)

5. Tasks the Study Committee to:

a) conduct a comprehensive study to determine the cost, effectiveness and value of extending coverage under AHCCCS to include comprehensive treatment for people living with obesity;

b) identify any additional resources or policy initiatives that would enhance public health and reduce costs associated with treating people living with obesity; and

c) review current policies and practices and propose revisions to AHCCCS to improve outcomes for people living with obesity. (Sec. 1)

6. Directs the Study Committee, by December 31, 2025, to submit a report regarding its activities, findings and recommendations for administrative or legislative action to the Governor, President and Speaker of the House.

7. Requires the Study Committee to provide a copy of this report to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)

8. Repeals the Study Committee on October 1, 2026. (Sec. 1)

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12. SB 1711

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