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Delegate Martinez seeks Medicaid coverage for comprehensive obesity treatment including surgery and medications
Summary
HB1489 would require Maryland Medicaid to cover intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery and FDA‑approved anti‑obesity medications for qualifying beneficiaries; sponsor accepted amendments to give Medicaid flexibility on utilization criteria and accelerate implementation to Jan. 1, 2026.
House Bill 1489, presented by Delegate Ashanti Martinez, would expand Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid) coverage to include comprehensive treatments for obesity, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery and FDA‑approved anti‑obesity medications for eligible recipients.
Martinez framed obesity as a chronic disease with downstream impacts on diabetes, heart disease and hypertension and argued early intervention would improve outcomes and reduce long-term health spending. She said an amendment accepted at the hearing removes a mandate that Medicaid’s coverage criteria be no more restrictive than the FDA’s criteria for anti‑obesity medications; instead the department would retain authority to set utilization criteria. The sponsor also moved the program start date forward from July 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2026 in the amendment.
Supporters include the American Diabetes Association, nutrition and nursing associations, who told the committee that expanded coverage could reduce incident diabetes by nearly 60% and lower cardiovascular deaths. Committee members asked whether the amendment changed the fiscal impact; the sponsor said she would provide an updated fiscal note. No committee vote was recorded during the hearing.
