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Senate committee hears bill to require insurance coverage for obesity treatments after briefing on GLP‑1 drugs
Summary
Lawmakers received a work‑session briefing on anti‑obesity medications and heard testimony supporting the Diabetes Prevention and Obesity Treatment Act (SB 5,353), which would require coverage for a broad set of obesity treatments and ask Medicaid to pursue federal matching funds.
The Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee held a work session on anti‑obesity treatments and then opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 5,353, the Diabetes Prevention and Obesity Treatment Act. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Cleveland, would require many health plans to cover diagnosis and treatment for obesity beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and direct the Health Care Authority to seek federal matching funds for Medicaid coverage.
Dr. Judy Zerzan, chief medical officer at the Washington State Health Care Authority, briefed the committee on a legislative report about coverage options for glucagon‑like peptide‑1 receptor agonists (GLP‑1s) and other obesity treatments. Dr. Zerzan said the report recommends coverage be tied to individualized prior authorization that…
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