Last week, the Diabetes Prevention & Obesity Treatment Act (SB25-048) advanced out of the Colorado Senate Health & Human Services Committee by a vote of 5–3. SB25-048 would require insurance plans and Medicaid to provide coverage for the treatment of the chronic disease of obesity and prediabetes, including coverage for intensive behavioral or lifestyle therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications. This exciting momentum moves us one step closer to ensuring the 25% of the adult population in Colorado living with obesity have access to treatment options that meet their needs.
“People need evidence-based interventions to treat and manage their condition. The health benefits and cost-savings of weight management through diet and exercise with GLP-1 receptor agonist usage or surgery have been consistently documented,” said Christine Fallabel, director of state government affairs at the American Diabetes Association® (ADA). “Treating obesity early can prevent health complications, including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as the medical costs to treat them. In this case, saving $70 million dollars over 10 years.”
Obesity is a chronic disease that affects the health of many Coloradans. Obesity is linked to 200 medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disorders, and other largely preventable illnesses. Coverage for obesity treatments and programs will help the approximately one million people who live with obesity in Colorado and ultimately could protect our state from incurring future medical costs associated with treating chronic health illnesses linked to obesity.
The Senate Health & Human Services Committee’s support presents a meaningful step forward to address obesity in Colorado. The bill will be heard in Senate Appropriations next. We urge all Colorado lawmakers to support this crucial legislation. Expanding coverage and access to obesity treatment and interventions will be life-changing, and we applaud Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s leadership in introducing SB25-048. Read the bill.
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to end diabetes and helping people thrive. This year, the ADA celebrates 85 years of driving discovery and research to prevent, manage, treat, and ultimately cure —and we’re not stopping. There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Through advocacy, program development, and education, we’re fighting for them all. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). Join us in the fight on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn). To learn more about how we are advocating for everyone affected by diabetes, visit us on X (@AmDiabetesAssn).
