According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 36.4% of Arkansans struggle with obesity, ranking our state as the ninth-worst in the rate of obesity. That’s 1,103,155 people who fall into the highest weight category, increasing their risk of severe health complications and diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. And as moms, dads, friends and employees, it’s time we find a solution to help transform their health outcomes.
Thankfully, our state leaders recognized the severity of this nationwide epidemic more than 11 years ago and have been dedicated to finding a solution.
In 2010, a state analysis proved that the annual total medical costs for those categorized as morbidly obese were 54% higher than those listed as “no risk,” or not obese or at an ideal weight for their height. And based on research by the National Institutes of Health, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the American Obesity Association and Shape Up America, we know that morbid obesity leads to extraneous expenses that can be resolved should the patient have access to weight loss surgery.
In light of these findings, the state launched a pilot program in 2011 that allowed a limited number of state employees to undergo weight loss surgeries under their health plan.
In 2019, the program participants who had bariatric surgery had a total per-member per-month cost reduction of 37%, primarily due to a reduction of 45% in medical per-member per-month costs.
The...
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