Illinois should provide Medicaid coverage and treat obesity as a chronic disease.
Patients deserve access to evidence-based care, and a new federal Medicaid model means Illinois doesn’t fund that care alone. With the BALANCE model, Illinois pays only its defined portion for obesity treatment, not the full cost. So, with GLP-1s costing $245 per patient each month, Illinois pays approximately 48.18% of that amount, around $118.04 per patient, per month.
To look further into Illinois residents’ perspectives regarding obesity, in 2026, CCPA commissioned a study among 500 registered voters. Across party lines, voters overwhelmingly view obesity as a serious chronic disease that deserves medical treatment, strongly support efforts to help eligible patients access FDA-approved obesity medicines, and believe Medicaid should play a role in providing coverage. Specific findings include:
Obesity is a Major Public Health Concern
- Seven-in-ten Illinois voters (71%) see obesity as a serious problem in their state, with over one-quarter saying it is a very serious issue, and a majority (57%) reporting a personal connection to obesity.
- Nearly three-quarters of Illinois voters (73%) agree obesity deserves the same coverage as other chronic diseases, with roughly two-in-five strongly agreeing (41%).
Voters Want Patients to Have Access to Treatment
- Most voters agree all residents, regardless of income or socioeconomic status, should have equal access to obesity medicines (77%) and believe doctors should drive decision-making (77%).
- More than three-quarters of Illinois voters (77%) are deeply concerned that some patients are unable to access FDA-approved obesity treatments their doctors recommend because their state Medicaid program does not cover them.
- A majority of Illinois voters (54%) view obesity as a chronic disease that should be treated with obesity medicines – not simply a matter of personal and lifestyle changes (46%).
- Illinois voters reject cost-based arguments against coverage. Three-in-five (59%) believe Medicaid coverage for obesity medicines is an investment in long-term health that prevents costly complications and reduces healthcare costs, rather than viewing medicines as too expensive for Medicaid to cover (24%).
- Underscoring the importance of access, four-in-five voters in Illinois (81%) recognize the importance of obesity treatment for communities that face higher rates of chronic diseases and agree that Medicaid coverage of obesity medicines would help improve lives and lead to better health outcomes (78%).
Medicaid Has a Responsibility to Help Provide Access
- Most Illinois voters (77%) think it is important for policymakers to provide access to obesity medicines in their state.
- Most Illinois voters also support policies that would broaden access for low-income patients – including establishing a program in their state (75%) or expanding Medicaid eligibility (73%) – to ensure they have access to obesity medications.
- The majority of Illinois voters (76%) support their state’s Medicaid program providing FDA-approved obesity treatments for eligible patients.
- Support for state Medicaid coverage of obesity treatments is strong across party, with majorities of Democrats (85%), Independents (70%), and Republicans (72%) in Illinois backing this coverage.
Illinois Voters Reward Policymakers Who Support Medicaid Coverage of Obesity Medicines
- 66% of Illinois voters say they are more likely to support legislators who back Medicaid providing obesity medicine coverage, versus just 13% who say less likely.
- Democrats (74%), Independents (61%), and Republicans (59%) in Illinois are more likely to support lawmakers who back Medicaid coverage of FDA-approved obesity medications.
It’s time for Illinois to recognize obesity as the chronic disease it is. Expanding Medicaid coverage for comprehensive obesity treatment would help more people access the care they need, improve health outcomes, and build healthier communities. Tell Illinois lawmakers to provide Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment. Every resident deserves access to the care they need to live healthier lives.
DOWNLOAD OBESITY’S IMPACT ON ILLINOIS INFOGRAPHIC
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DOWNLOAD STATE OF CHRONIC DISEASE INFOGRAPHIC
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