SB 1711
Initials AG/AB Page 1 Health & Human Services
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)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note SB 1711
Initials AG/AB Page 2 Health & Human Services
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)