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Committee sends obesity‑treatment coverage bill to appropriations after sharp debate over cost and scope
Summary
Senate Bill 48, which would require coverage of obesity treatments including GLP‑1 medications, dietitian visits and bariatric surgery, advanced out of committee after hours of testimony; the state insurance commissioner opposed the bill on premium‑impact grounds and the committee approved it for the Appropriations Committee by a 5‑3 vote.
Senate Bill 48, a broad mandate to require coverage of obesity prevention and treatment services (including FDA‑approved anti‑obesity medications, medical nutrition therapy, behavioral/lifestyle interventions, and bariatric surgery), advanced from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after extensive testimony and a recorded vote.
Sponsor and supporters described the measure as an effort to treat obesity as a chronic disease and reduce downstream conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver disease. Advocates said coverage would improve access to evidence‑based care and could produce long‑term savings by preventing expensive chronic conditions.
Medical specialists from top Colorado institutions, including obesity medicine physicians and pediatric…
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