Advocacy

Arizona doesn't cover obesity treatment. We're working to change that.

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.

Advocacy Mission
"To make obesity a treated condition in Arizona — by changing the policy, payer, and political landscape that determines who gets care."
Flagship Initiative

The Cost of Inaction: Obesity in Arizona

A comprehensive policy paper on the economic and clinical case for evidence-based obesity care in Arizona's Medicaid program.

AOO'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.

98
peer-reviewed sources cited
6
sections covering epidemiology to policy
2026
target publication for full release
White Paper · 2026

The Cost of Inaction: Obesity in Arizona

98 sources · 6 sections · Updated April 2026
"Arizona's failure to cover evidence-based obesity treatment 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."
  • I. Epidemiology & Disease Burden
  • II. Economic Impact & Cost of Inaction
  • III. Clinical Outcomes of Treatment
  • IV. Policy & Coverage Landscape
  • V. Pathways Forward for Arizona
  • VI. Appendix & Methodology
Active initiatives

What we're tracking right now

Beyond the white paper, AOO maintains two continuously updated trackers that surface the coverage and prior-auth landscape Arizona clinicians and patients navigate every day.

Active

Payer Prior Auth Criteria Tracker

A continuously updated tracker of Wegovy and Zepbound prior-authorization criteria across major Arizona payers — equipping clinicians to navigate the system and exposing inconsistencies for advocacy purposes.

Updated regularly View the tracker →
Active

State Medicaid Coverage Tracker

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.

Updated regularly View the tracker →
Recent activity

Where AOO has shown up

April 2026
30
Completed

AJMC Roundtable on Obesity

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.

AOO members with the 2025 Arizona Senate Obesity Treatment Committee at the Arizona State Capitol
December 2025
17
Completed

Arizona Senate Obesity Treatment Study Committee

AOO board members provided clinical and policy expertise to the Arizona Senate's Obesity Treatment Study Committee at the State Capitol — engaging directly with Senators Gowan and Gonzales and Representatives Willoughby and Contreras on the evidence base for obesity coverage policy in Arizona.

Roadmap

Under consideration

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.

  • Considering

    AJMC Publication & Podcast

    A peer-reviewed publication translating the white paper's findings for a payer audience, paired with a companion podcast episode.

  • Considering

    AZ Medicaid Coverage Campaign

    Direct engagement with AHCCCS and Arizona policymakers to expand coverage of FDA-approved anti-obesity medications.

  • Considering

    Phoenix Stakeholder Convening

    A targeted gathering of Arizona payers, employers, providers, and policymakers to align on a coordinated path forward for obesity coverage.

  • Considering

    AZ Senate Obesity Treatment Study Committee

    Continued engagement with the Arizona Senate's study committee on obesity treatment, providing clinical and policy expertise.

  • Considering

    Coalition Partner Outreach

    Formal expansion of the Arizona Obesity Collaborative — bringing together health systems, employer benefits leaders, payer medical directors, and patient advocacy groups.

  • Considering

    AZ Cost of Inaction Economic Analysis

    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 AOO
For organizations

Partner with AOO on advocacy or education.

We work with healthcare organizations, employers, payers, pharma partners, academic centers, and advocacy coalitions on shared initiatives to expand access to obesity care in Arizona.

Reasons organizations engage AOO:

  • Co-author advocacy briefs or position papers on Arizona-specific obesity policy
  • Sponsor or co-host AOO educational events (CME, payer roundtables, employer forums)
  • Join the Arizona Obesity Collaborative as a coalition partner
  • Fund a specific AOO initiative (white paper, economic analysis, convening)
  • Request AOO clinical or policy expertise for your organization
  • Explore research collaboration through our board's academic and clinical networks

Tell us about your interest

We'll respond within 2 business days.

For individuals

Take action with us.

You don't need to be a clinician or a policymaker to push for change. Pick a tool, take a minute, make some noise.

I.

Contact your AZ legislator

One click to find and email your Arizona state representative about obesity coverage. We provide the template — you sign and send.

Open the form →
II.

Share the white paper

Forward our executive summary to your employer's benefits team, your payer's medical director, or your physician.

Get the share kit →
III.

Tell your story

Arizona's coverage policy affects real people. Share your experience navigating obesity care — anonymous or attributed.

Share your story →
IV.

Subscribe to advocacy alerts

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 →

This work needs partners — and patrons.

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.

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