Ohio 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 Ohio doesn’t fund that care alone. With the BALANCE model, Ohio pays only its defined portion for obesity treatment, not the full cost. So, with GLP-1s costing $245 per patient each month, Ohio pays approximately 35.15% of that amount, around $86.12 per patient, per month.
To look further into Ohio 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 Ohio voters (71%) see obesity as a serious problem in their state, with roughly one-quarter saying it is a very serious issue, and three-in-five (59%) reporting a personal connection to obesity.
- Nearly three-quarters of Ohio voters (76%) agree obesity deserves the same coverage as other chronic diseases, with about half strongly agreeing (47%).
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 (78%) and believe doctors should drive decision-making (78%).
- Roughly seven-in-ten Ohio voters (72%) 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 Ohio 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%).
- Ohio voters reject cost-based arguments against coverage. A majority (55%) 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 (22%).
- Underscoring the importance of access, three-quarters of voters in Ohio (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 (76%).
Medicaid Has a Responsibility to Help Provide Access
- Most Ohio voters (76%) think it is important for policymakers to provide access to obesity medicines in their state.
- Most Ohio voters also support policies that would broaden access for low-income patients – including establishing a program in their state (73%) or expanding Medicaid eligibility (70%) – to ensure they have access to obesity medications.
- The majority of Ohio voters (73%) 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 (81%), Independents (75%), and Republicans (66%) in Ohio backing this coverage.
Ohio Voters Reward Policymakers Who Support Medicaid Coverage of Obesity Medicines
- 64% of Ohio voters say they are more likely to support legislators who back Medicaid providing obesity medicine coverage, versus just 14% who say less likely.
- Democrats (81%), Independents (57%), and Republicans (54%) in Ohio are more likely to support lawmakers who back Medicaid coverage of FDA-approved obesity medications.
It’s time for Ohio 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 Ohio 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 OHIO INFOGRAPHIC
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DOWNLOAD STATE OF CHRONIC DISEASE INFOGRAPHIC
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