North Carolina should protect Medicaid coverage and treat obesity as a chronic disease.
In 2026, CCPA commissioned a study among 500 registered voters in North Carolina. 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
- Nearly three-quarters of North Carolina voters (73%) see obesity as a serious problem in their state, with over one-third saying it is a very serious issue, and a majority (57%) reporting a personal connection to obesity.
- More than four-in-five North Carolina voters (84%) agree obesity deserves the same coverage as other chronic diseases, with about half strongly agreeing (49%).
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 (80%).
- Four-in-five North Carolina voters (78%) 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.
- Three-in-five North Carolina voters (60%) view obesity as a chronic disease that should be treated with obesity medicines – not simply a matter of personal and lifestyle changes (40%).
- North Carolina voters reject cost-based arguments against coverage. Roughly three-in-five (60%) 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 (21%).
- Underscoring the importance of access, four-in-five voters in North Carolina (80%) 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 (80%).
Medicaid Has a Responsibility to Help Provide Access
- Most North Carolina voters (76%) think it is important for policymakers to protect access to obesity medicines in their state.
- Most North Carolina voters also support policies that would broaden access for low-income patients – including establishing a program in their state (80%) or expanding Medicaid eligibility (76%) – to ensure they have access to obesity medications.
- The majority of North Carolina voters (68%) support their state’s Medicaid program protecting FDA-approved obesity treatments for eligible patients.
- Support for state Medicaid coverage of obesity treatments is strong across party, with majorities of Democrats (74%), Independents (60%), and Republicans (68%) in North Carolina backing this coverage.
North Carolina Voters Reward Policymakers Who Support Medicaid Coverage of Obesity Medicines
- 66% of North Carolina voters say they are more likely to support legislators who back Medicaid protecting obesity medicine coverage, versus just 12% who say less likely.
- Democrats (74%), Independents (61%), and Republicans (62%) in North Carolina are more likely to support lawmakers who back Medicaid coverage of FDA-approved obesity medications.
It’s time for North Carolina to protect access to obesity treatment for Medicaid members. Preserving comprehensive Medicaid coverage ensures that people can continue receiving the care they need to manage this chronic disease, improve health outcomes, and keep communities healthy across the state. Tell North Carolina lawmakers to protect Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment. Every resident deserves continued access to the care they need to live healthier lives.
DOWNLOAD OBESITY’S IMPACT ON NORTH CAROLINA INFOGRAPHIC
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DOWNLOAD STATE OF CHRONIC DISEASE INFOGRAPHIC
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