2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 35
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board within the office of
group benefits to study and prepare a cost benefit analysis for the provision of
anti-obesity treatments and services for plan participants.
WHEREAS, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Louisiana has the
sixth highest obesity rate in the nation with one out of every four adults in Louisiana being
obese; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana has the eighth highest obesity rate for youth ages ten to
seventeen; and
WHEREAS, the office of group benefits (OGB) provides health insurance for more
than 167,000 active employees and their dependents, more than 82,000 retirees and their
dependents, and nearly 400 COBRA participants for a combined total of more than 250,000
lives covered; and
WHEREAS, OGB's current fiscal year (FY19) budget is more than $1.53 billion with
a proposed fiscal year (FY20) budget of $1.56 billion; and
WHEREAS, if Louisiana's overall obesity statistics are correlative to the OGB
population, it may be that nearly 63,000 of those covered by OGB are obese; and
WHEREAS, the legislature, at R.S. 42:881, created the Group Benefits Policy and
Planning Board within OGB to review and recommend life and health benefit programs
offered to eligible employees, including proposed rate structure which will support the life
and health benefit plan; and
WHEREAS, according to the World Health Organization, being overweight or obese
Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 35 ENROLLED
can have serious consequences such as cardiovascular disease including heart disease and
stroke, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis, and some cancers like
endometrial, breast, and colon; and
WHEREAS, while these conditions cause premature death and substantial disability,
what is often overlooked is that risk of health problems start when someone is only very
slightly overweight, and that the likelihood of problems increases as someone becomes more
and more overweight, meaning that the impact can most certainly be minimized with due
attention; and
WHEREAS, the consequences of obesity cause long-term suffering for individuals
and families, decreased quality of life, decreased productivity, and often unmanageable
financial costs.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board within the
office of group benefits to study and prepare a cost benefit analysis for the provision of anti-
obesity treatments and services for plan participants.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting its analysis, the Group Benefits
Policy and Planning Board shall:
(1) Estimate the costs and benefits to OGB associated with providing insurance
coverage for anti-obesity treatment and services including counseling, medication, and
surgery.
(2) Compare the costs and benefits estimated for providing those treatments and
services with the costs and benefits to OGB associated with treating diseases caused by or
linked to obesity including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and other diseases.
(3) Analyze whether there would be cost savings associated with providing insurance
coverage for anti-obesity treatment and services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Group Benefits Policy and Planning Board
shall submit a report of its analysis and findings to the Senate Committee on Health and
Welfare and Senate Committee on Finance on or before February 1, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that OGB may work with other insurers or other
interested persons in developing the report required by this Section.
Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 35 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chief executive officer of the office of group benefits and the executive director of the Group
Benefits Policy and Planning Board.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 3 of 3