AOO produces the evidence base — and convenes the coalition — to expand access to evidence-based obesity care in Arizona's Medicaid program, commercial insurance, and employer benefits. Partner with us.
As Arizona weighs its FY 2027 budget under federal Medicaid pressure, AOO delivered a two-page legislative brief — and a letter to the Governor and Senate — making the fiscal and clinical case for covering obesity treatment as prevention.
The Cost of Coverage vs. the Cost of Inaction. A two-page brief prepared for the Arizona State Legislature and the Office of the Governor — showing that Year-1 obesity coverage (~$7.7M) is roughly offset by arriving federal price savings, against $2.45B in annual AHCCCS cardiometabolic spending.
A cover letter from AOO President Douglas Maready, MD to Governor Katie Hobbs and Senator David Gowan, transmitting the legislative brief and inviting their staff to walk through the numbers behind Arizona's obesity-coverage decision.
Want to add your voice? Send your own letter to the Governor and your legislators.
Send a letterAOO's flagship advocacy work — built on 98 peer-reviewed sources spanning epidemiology, clinical outcomes, economic modeling, and policy analysis. Structured to give Arizona legislators, payers, employers, and Medicaid officials the evidence base they need to act.
The white paper makes the case that Arizona's failure to cover evidence-based obesity treatment under standard Medicaid is not a budget decision — it is a transfer of cost from prevention to chronic disease management, paid in both dollars and years of life.
Beyond the white paper, AOO maintains a continuously updated tracker that surfaces the Medicaid coverage landscape Arizona clinicians and patients navigate every day.
State-by-state tracking of Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 anti-obesity medications — showing how Arizona compares nationally and where the gaps in coverage policy are most consequential.
AOO participated in the American Journal of Managed Care roundtable convening clinical, payer, and policy leaders to discuss the state of obesity coverage and the path toward broader access.
Initiatives AOO is exploring or scoping for the next phase of work. These are not yet active — partner funding and coalition support are what move them off this list and into reality.
A peer-reviewed publication translating the white paper's findings for a payer audience, paired with a companion podcast episode.
Direct engagement with AHCCCS and Arizona policymakers to expand coverage of FDA-approved anti-obesity medications.
A targeted gathering of Arizona payers, employers, providers, and policymakers to align on a coordinated path forward for obesity coverage.
Continued engagement with the Arizona Senate's study committee on obesity treatment, providing clinical and policy expertise.
Formal expansion of the Arizona Obesity Collaborative — bringing together health systems, employer benefits leaders, payer medical directors, and patient advocacy groups.
A custom economic modeling study quantifying the cost of Arizona's current coverage policy versus expanded coverage scenarios.
Interested in funding or partnering on any of these? Reach out below.
Partner with AOOWe work with healthcare organizations, employers, payers, pharma partners, academic centers, and advocacy coalitions on shared initiatives to expand access to obesity care in Arizona.
You don't need to be a clinician or a policymaker to push for change. Pick a tool, take a minute, make some noise.
One click to find and email your Arizona state representative about obesity coverage. We provide the template — you sign and send.
Open the form →Forward our executive summary to your employer's benefits team, your payer's medical director, or your physician.
Get the share kit →Arizona's coverage policy affects real people. Share your experience navigating obesity care — anonymous or attributed.
Share your story →Get a heads-up when there's a bill to comment on, a hearing to attend, or a public comment window opening.
Sign me up →If you're an organization aligned with our mission, partner with us. If you're an individual who believes Arizona can do better on obesity care, support the work.
Clinicians, advocates, patients, donors — there's a place for everyone in AOO. Pick the one that fits you.
