OMA BOT Book 4.24.2024

January 25, 2024 : OAC expresses its strong opposition to Item 288 of Virginia Governor Youngkin’s Proposed Budget for 2024-2026 (HB30/SB30), which would only allow AOM coverage under the state’s Medicaid program if a beneficiary had a BMI of 40 or greater. OAC highlighted how setting the suggested BMI parameter is contrary to standard clinical guidelines and it is discriminatory, leaving out many who also need and qualify for obesity treatment. January 26, 2024: OAC expressed deep disappointment over the January 25th decision by the North Carolina State Health Plan’s (NCSHP) Board of Trustees to exclude state employee coverage for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) – specifically GLP-1 medications. February 12, 2024: OAC/OMA/TOOS/ASMBS Joint statement expressing strong support for passage of Colorado Senate Bill (SB) 54, which would require the state employee health plan, Medicaid program, and all private insurance companies to provide coverage for the treatment of the chronic disease of obesity and the treatment of pre-diabetes, including coverage for intensive behavioral or lifestyle therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs). February 14, 2024: OAC expresses its strong support for passage of Nebraska Legislative Bill (LB) 907 – legislation that would allow for evidence-based intensive behavioral therapy and FDA-approved anti-obesity medication coverage under Nebraska Medicaid. February 27, 2024: OAC comments on the Oregon State University’s drug effectiveness review of medications for weight management — expressing appreciation that OSU is giving obesity serious consideration and review to improve evidence-based care, which should include coverage for intensive behavioral therapy, metabolic/bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications. March 7, 2024: OAC expresses deep disappointment to the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) after the agency decides to drop coverage for FDA-approved AOMs under the state employees insurance plan. March 13, 2024: OMA, OAC, TOS and ASMBS Joint Statement opposing efforts to enshrine in statute arbitrary and Unscientific restrictions on obesity care coverage. March 14, 2024: OMA expresses deep disappointment to the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) after the agency decides to drop coverage for FDA-approved AOMs under the state employees insurance plan. April 3, 2024 : OAC letter to the Louisiana Senate Committee on Insurance expressing strong support for policy proposals that improve coverage for evidence-based obesity care, such as intensive behavioral therapy, FDA approved obesity medications, and metabolic and bariatric surgery. For these reasons, we are pleased to support Senate Bill (SB) 106 legislation introduced by Senators Barrow and Edmonds that would require health plans to cover treatment, such as bariatric surgery, for those affected by severe obesity. April 11, 2024: OMA, OAC, TOS, ASMBS Joint Statement urging the Wisconsin Employee Trust Fund (ETF) Group Insurance Board (GIB) to convene a special meeting on state employee coverage of FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) prior to the Board’s scheduled May 23rd meeting. April 11, 2024: OAC letter to Rhode Island Senate Finance Committee – expressing support for Rhode Island’s consideration of updates to the state Medicaid program... and urging that the state establish comprehensive