In 2026, CCPA commissioned a study among 300 registered voters in Iowa. 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
- Four-in-five Iowa voters (78%) see obesity as a serious problem in their state, with roughly one-quarter saying it is a very serious issue, and seven-in-ten (70%) reporting a personal connection to obesity.
- Nearly three-quarters of Iowa voters (73%) agree obesity deserves the same coverage as other chronic diseases, with more than two-in-five strongly agreeing (46%).
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 (82%) and believe doctors should drive decision-making (78%).
- Close to three-quarters of Iowa voters (76%) 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.
- Iowa voters are evenly split on whether obesity is a chronic disease that should be treated with obesity medicines (51%) or a matter of personal and lifestyle changes (49%).
- Iowa 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 (25%).
- Underscoring the importance of access, three-quarters of voters in Iowa (77%) 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 Iowa voters (81%) think it is important for policymakers to provide access to obesity medicines in their state.
- Most Iowa voters also support policies that would broaden access for low-income patients – including establishing a program in their state (73%) or expanding Medicaid eligibility (75%) – to ensure they have access to obesity medications.
- The majority of Iowa voters (75%) 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* (61%), and Republicans (79%) in Iowa backing this coverage.
Iowa Voters Reward Policymakers Who Support Medicaid Coverage of Obesity Medicines
- 68% of Iowa voters say they are more likely to support legislators who back Medicaid providing obesity medicine coverage, versus just 17% who say less likely.
- Democrats* (86%), Independents* (63%), and Republicans (60%) in Iowa are more likely to support lawmakers who back Medicaid coverage of FDA-approved obesity medications.
DOWNLOAD OBESITY’S IMPACT ON IOWA INFOGRAPHIC
Click on an image below to enlarge
DOWNLOAD STATE OF CHRONIC DISEASE INFOGRAPHIC
Click on an image below to enlarge
