Nebraska lawmaker aims to broaden Medicaid coverage to include obesity
LINCOLN — State Senator Merv Riepe of Ralston, Nebraska, is pushing for an expansion of Medicaid coverage to include obesity, a move he believes will address the underlying causes of various health issues. Through Legislative Bill 907, Senator Riepe aims to broaden coverage for intensive behavioral therapy and anti-obesity medications. These medications, prescribed alongside dietary and exercise changes, are part of a comprehensive strategy to combat a chronic disease affecting over 30% of Nebraskans.
"It’s just one more tool in the toolbox," Senator Riepe explained to the Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday.
Anti-obesity medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are available for patients with obesity, typically those with body mass indexes (BMIs) of 30 or higher, or individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher and at least one comorbidity. The Costs and Consequences
Dr. Brianna Johnson-Rabbett, board-certified in internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism, and obesity medicine, emphasized that excess weight stems from biological factors, not just a lack of willpower. In 2019, annual obesity-related medical costs in the U.S. were nearly $173 billion, excluding productivity losses, which amount to billions more.
"Excluding anti-obesity medications from Medicaid coverage widens existing healthcare disparities," Dr. Johnson-Rabbett stressed.
Long-Term Gains
Samantha Pederson, a physician assistant specializing in weight-related diseases, suggested clarifying LB 907 to define obesity as a BMI equal to or greater than 30. She also proposed collaborating with economists to negotiate reasonable prices for newer, pricier therapies.
"I believe an investment in obesity treatment would benefit patients, taxpayers, and society in the long run," Pederson remarked.
A Necessary Move
LB 907 carries a fiscal note of approximately $300 million in the first two years, though costs could escalate to $500 million annually without proper care standards. Senator Riepe estimated an annual cost of $3.6 million, factoring in federal rebates and a projected 33% uptake among eligible Nebraskans.
The Nebraska Obesity Society, backed by 67 healthcare providers, including Pederson, endorsed LB 907 as a "proactive and necessary step" to address obesity. The society highlighted the importance of expanded Medicaid coverage in tackling the public health crisis.
"Not every patient needs every tool in the obesity treatment toolbox," the Nebraska Obesity Society emphasized, "but when patients lack access, our hands as providers are effectively tied."
No opposition was voiced against LB 907, and the committee deferred immediate action.
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