WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SSB 1138

A bill for an act relating to a review of anti-obesity medications by the department of health and human services and the department of administrative services for purposes of the medical assistance program and health insurance plans for public employees.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HHS and DAS must review anti-obesity meds (including GLP-1s) for effectiveness, comorbidity impact, and cost, and propose coverage eligibility criteria.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 552.
#administrativeservicesdepartment #drugs #healthandhumanservicesdepartment #healthinsurance #medicalassistance #obesity #prescriptiondrugs #publicassistance #publicemployees #reports
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SSB 1138

Summary of SSB 1138 (renumbered as SF 552): Anti-Obesity Medication Review for Medicaid and Public Employee Health Plans

Purpose and intent

  • Require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to review anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1 agonists, as they relate to:
    • Effectiveness for weight loss
    • Impact on obesity-related comorbidities
    • Potential cost savings from deferred medical procedures and reduced medications for comorbidity
    • Eligibility requirements and any other criteria deemed relevant by the departments
  • The review targets two programs:
    • The medical assistance program under chapter 249A (Medicaid)
    • Health insurance plans established under chapter 509A for public employees

Key provisions

  • Mandate: HHS and DAS shall conduct a comprehensive review of anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1 agonists.
  • Evaluation areas:
    • Weight loss effectiveness
    • Effects on comorbidities associated with obesity
    • Potential cost savings (e.g., deferral of medical procedures, reduction in other medications related to comorbidity)
    • Recommended eligibility requirements for coverage under the relevant programs
    • Any other criteria the departments consider relevant to coverage and use
  • Deliverable: A report documenting findings and proposed eligibility requirements.

Affected parties and programs

  • Departments:
    • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    • Department of Administrative Services (DAS)
  • Programs impacted:
    • Medical assistance program (Medicaid) under chapter 249A
    • Public employee health insurance plans under chapter 509A
  • Primary beneficiaries: Individuals enrolled in Medicaid and public employee health insurance plans who use or may use anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1 agonists.

Timeline and procedural context

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025
  • Legislative path so far:
    • Subcommittee: Recommendations for amendment and passage (February 20, 2025)
    • Subcommittee members: Klimesh, Salmon, Wahls (Feb 18, 2025 meeting noted)
    • Subcommittee meeting: February 19, 2025
    • Committee action: Report approved, bill renumbered as SF 552 (March 5, 2025)
  • Reporting requirement: A formal report to the General Assembly due by January 5, 2026, including findings and proposed eligibility criteria.

Status and context

  • Status: Committee report approving the bill; renumbered as SF 552
  • This is an administrative/oversight measure aimed at informing future policy decisions regarding coverage of anti-obesity medications within Medicaid and public employee health plans.

Potential impact (high-level)

  • Establishes a structured, evidence-based review of anti-obesity medications to inform eligibility rules for public funding and public employee plans.
  • Could influence coverage decisions for GLP-1 agonists and other anti-obesity therapies based on demonstrated effectiveness and cost considerations.
  • May affect budgeting and formulary decisions for Medicaid and public employee health plans if eligibility criteria are adopted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.