Assigned to HHS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1711
AHCCCS; obesity treatment; study committee
Purpose
Establishes the Obesity Treatment Study Committee (Study Committee) to study the cost,
effectiveness and value of expanding coverage under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment
System (AHCCCS) to include comprehensive treatment for people living with obesity. Outlines
Study Committee membership, duties and reporting requirements.
Background
AHCCCS contracts with health professionals to provide medically necessary health and
medical services to eligible members. Currently, AHCCCS contractors are required to provide:
1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services, excluding speech therapy; 2) laboratory and x-ray
services; 3) prescription medications; 4) medical supplies, durable medical equipment, insulin
pumps and prosthetic devices; 5) treatment of medical conditions of the eye; 6) early and periodic
health screening and diagnostic services; 7) family planning services; 8) podiatry services;
9) nonexperimental transplants; 10) emergency dental care; 11) ambulance and nonambulance
transportation; 12) hospice care; 13) orthotics; and 14) diabetes outpatient self-management
training services (A.R.S. ยง 36-2907).
Obesity is a condition whereby an individual's weight exceeds what is generally considered
healthy for the individual's height. Obesity is measured by an individual's body mass index (BMI),
which is calculated based on an individual's height and weight comparison. An individual with a
BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, while an individual with a BMI exceeding 30
is considered to be suffering from obesity. Individuals who fall under the categories of overweight
or obesity may be at increased risk for many related health problems (National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Study Committee, consisting of:
a) two members of the Senate from different political parties, one of whom to serve as
co-chair, appointed by the President of the Senate (President);
b) two members of the House of Representatives from different political parties, one of whom
to serve as co-chair, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker of
the House).
c) the Director of AHCCCS or the Director's designee;
d) two members representing patient advocacy organizations with expertise in treating people
living with obesity, appointed by the President; FACT SHEET
S.B. 1711
Page 2
e) two members representing medical societies or physician organizations or who are
physicians with experience treating people living with obesity, appointed by the Speaker
of the House; and
f) the Director of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee or the Director's designee.
2. Requires 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.
3. Requires the Study Committee to meet at the call of the chairpersons.
4. Specifies that Study Committee members are not eligible to receive compensation but are
eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses.
5. Requires the Study Committee to submit a report detailing its activities, findings and
recommendations for administrative or legislative action to the Governor, President, Speaker
of the House and the Secretary of State by December 31, 2025.
6. Repeals the Study Committee October 1, 2026.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2025
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