More than 8 million New Yorkers struggle with obesity. That’s a large number but what’s more important is the collection of trends behind it. More than one in three New Yorkers who are Black or Hispanic struggle with obesity — surpassing rates for every other racial or ethnic group. For BIPOC New Yorkers on Medicaid, those rates are even higher. New York’s obesity epidemic is at the heart of our state’s health equity crisis.
The good news is, we know how to treat the disease. Decades of scientific research have shown us the power of presenting patients with comprehensive treatment options, which include access to anti-obesity medicines, or AOMs — some of the most effective medicines in the world designed to treat serious chronic diseases. Patients on AOMs have seen reduced cravings for processed foods, 10-20% body weight reduction over time, and lower risk of cardiovascular events like strokes.
The bad news is that Medicaid does not cover AOM medications in New York, putting life-changing treatment out of reach for those who need it most.
New York is behind. 14 states and counting have begun to treat obesity with the seriousness that it deserves, expanding Medicaid coverage of AOMs. That’s why I’ve introduced Assembly Bill A2715, which requires comprehensive Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment and is paired with a companion bill in the New York State Senate led by state Sen. Jeremy Cooney.
Legislators in New York have been on the front lines of health equity policy reforms for decades. We were an early adopter of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, significantly reducing the uninsured rate among low-income residents. We were one of the first states to lower the blood lead level requiring intervention, expanding protections for children exposed to lead. And we have continued to prioritize addressing our country’s maternal health crisis, expanding access to care for mothers on Medicaid.
The patchwork of access in New York means that weight loss drugs aren’t out of reach for everyone. Some on private insurance have partial or full coverage for the drugs, furthering the disconnect with New Yorkers on Medicaid who are disproportionately low-income or people of color.
The true cost of obesity does not end with the disease itself. The range of co-morbidities associated with obesity – ranging from diabetes to heart disease — disproportionately harm our Black and Brown communities.
Putting life-changing care within reach for New Yorkers regardless of their income level is also smart fiscal policy. Obesity imposes a massive financial burden on New York’s families, taxpayers and the health care system at large, costing state households over $1.8 billion annually in increased medical expenses. Health care costs for individuals with obesity are 34% higher, and the economic toll extends beyond medical bills, showing up in lost wages and a greater toll on mental health driven by the stigma of the disease.
The state’s Medicaid program alone shoulders $868 million per year in obesity-related expenses, while lost productivity and lower wages — particularly the 9% wage gap for women with obesity — further strain the economy. The longer we delay comprehensive solutions, including coverage for effective weight-loss treatments, the more we will pay — not only in escalating health care expenditures but in human lives.
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What can this legislation accomplish?
Assembly Bill A2715 represents a common-sense, evidence-based approach to public health — one that prioritizes prevention, treatment and equity. By passing this bill, we can:
New York’s reputation as a trailblazer for health equity is in danger. I urge my colleagues in the Legislature to support A2715 and stand with our Black and Brown neighbors as they grapple with one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of our time. Together, we can take a bold step forward in transforming public health in our state. The time to act is now.
Karines Reyes is a New York State Assemblymember and a registered nurse representing the Parkchester section of the Bronx.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New York needs equity for obesity treatment. That starts with Medicaid coverage | Opinion
Reporting by Karines Reyes / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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