Obesity Care Access Act.

Senator Richardson's proposal to expand health insurance coverage for obesity treatments would require California health plans to include both bariatric surgery and at least one FDA-approved anti-obesity medication in contracts issued or renewed after January 1, 2026. The measure applies to individual and group health care service plans that provide outpatient prescription drug benefits, while exempting specialized plans covering only dental or vision care and Medicare supplement contracts.

The legislation permits health plans to implement utilization management protocols for obesity treatments, provided these determinations follow the same process used for other covered conditions. Coverage criteria for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications must align with FDA-approved indications, without adding more restrictive requirements. The bill defines FDA-approved anti-obesity medications as those specifically indicated for chronic weight management in patients with obesity.

The bill's findings document obesity's classification as a chronic disease by major medical organizations since 2013 and its connection to over 200 comorbid conditions, including 13 types of cancer. Authors note that obesity affects communities of color disproportionately and cite barriers to treatment access including stigma and discrimination. The measure builds upon existing federal requirements under the Affordable Care Act, which mandates coverage for obesity screening and behavioral interventions for individuals with a body mass index of 30 or higher.