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AB-575 • 2026

Obesity Prevention Treatment Parity Act.

Obesity Prevention Treatment Parity Act.

Crime Education Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Arambula
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on which anti-obesity medications must be covered or the exact penalties for violations.

Obesity Prevention Treatment Parity Act

The Obesity Prevention Treatment Parity Act requires health insurance plans to cover at least one specific anti-obesity medication and intensive behavioral therapy for obesity without prior authorization, starting January 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires individual or group health care service plan contracts or health insurance policies that provide coverage for outpatient prescription drug benefits to include coverage for at least one specified anti-obesity medication and intensive behavioral therapy for the treatment of obesity without prior authorization starting January 1, 2026.
  • Makes a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan a crime.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People with individual or group health care service plan contracts or health insurance policies that provide prescription drug coverage.
  • Health care service plans and insurers in California.

Terms To Know

Prior Authorization
A requirement by an insurer to get approval before a treatment can be covered under the policy.
Intensive Behavioral Therapy
Therapy that focuses on changing behaviors and habits related to obesity through structured sessions with healthcare professionals.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify which anti-obesity medications must be covered.
  • It is unclear what the specific penalties are for violating this act.
  • This legislation only applies to health care service plan contracts and insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-28 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-03-13 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  5. 2025-03-12 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.

  6. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  7. 2025-02-13 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.

  8. 2025-02-12 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 575, as amended, Arambula.
Obesity Prevention Treatment Parity Act.
Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the act’s requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of disability and health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law sets forth specified coverage requirements for plan contracts and insurance policies.
This bill, the Obesity Prevention Treatment Parity Act, would require an individual or group health care service plan contract or health insurance policy that provides coverage for outpatient prescription drug benefits, as specified, and is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, to include coverage for at least one
specified
anti-obesity medication and intensive behavioral therapy for the treatment of obesity without prior authorization. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF