In 2026, CCPA commissioned a study among 501 registered voters in Virginia. 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 Virginia voters (72%) see obesity as a serious problem in their state, with roughly one-quarter saying it is a very serious issue, and nearly two-thirds (64%) reporting a personal connection to obesity.
- Four-in-five Virginia voters (78%) 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 (78%) and believe doctors should drive decision-making (77%).
- Eight-in-ten Virginia 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.
- Virginia voters are evenly split on whether obesity is a chronic disease that should be treated with obesity medicines (52%) or a matter of personal and lifestyle changes (48%).
- Virginia voters reject cost-based arguments against coverage. 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 (22%).
- Underscoring the importance of access, three-quarters of voters in Virginia (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 (77%).
Medicaid Has a Responsibility to Help Provide Access
- Most Virginia voters (74%) think it is important for policymakers to protect access to obesity medicines in their state.
- Most Virginia voters also support policies that would broaden access for low-income patients – including establishing a program in their state (74%) or expanding Medicaid eligibility (72%) – to ensure they have access to obesity medications.
- The majority of Virginia 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 (78%), Independents (69%), and Republicans (56%) in Virginia backing this coverage.
Virginia Voters Reward Policymakers Who Support Medicaid Coverage of Obesity Medicines
- 71% of Virginia voters say they are more likely to support legislators who back Medicaid protecting obesity medicine coverage, versus just 13% who say less likely.
- Democrats (81%), Independents (72%), and Republicans (59%) in Virginia are more likely to support lawmakers who back Medicaid coverage of FDA-approved obesity medications.
DOWNLOAD OBESITY’S IMPACT ON VIRGINIA INFOGRAPHIC
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DOWNLOAD STATE OF CHRONIC DISEASE INFOGRAPHIC
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