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Expert urges Alabama task force to add comprehensive obesity care to state employee and Medicaid plans
Summary
Dr. Saunders told the Joint Interim Committees that Alabama should expand coverage of intensive behavioral therapy, FDA‑approved obesity medications and bariatric surgery in the state employee health plan and Medicaid, while emphasizing that implementation (provider training, monitoring and prior‑authorization reform) is critical to avoid waste and achieve health and cost benefits.
Representative Oliver opened the session by reading a statement from the OPCD Action Coalition urging the task force to recommend coverage of comprehensive obesity care, including intensive behavioral therapy, FDA‑approved obesity medications and metabolic and bariatric surgery under the state employee health plan and Medicaid.
Dr. R. Saunders, an obesity medicine physician affiliated with Weill Cornell and a co‑founder of a clinical cardiometabolic services company, told the Joint Interim Committees that…
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