As employees, family members, and dependents of AACPS Health Benefits, we are confronted with unnecessary suffering due to the plan exclusion of medically necessary anti-obesity medications. This policy substantially affects many who are facing severe health issues such as PCOS, prediabetes, cardiovascular conditions, binge-eating disorder, and more attributing to obesity. These individuals have sought out lifestyle changes and explored alternative treatments, yet all to no avail.

Once physicians ascertain that anti-obesity medication is needed for treatment, we hit a wall – the plan exclusion, a decision solely laid out by AACPS Benefits, not CareFirst BCBS or CVS Caremark (PBM). It is unacceptable to continue ignoring the medical needs of the AACPS community. According to the CDC in May of 2024, obesity affects more than 100 million adults in the United States. It emphasizes the vital need for the acknowledgment and adaptations in current health policies.

The AACPS Benefits Department responded to the anti-obesity medication exclusion with, "AACPS healthcare plan does not allow for weight loss medication of any kind, medically necessary or not."

We are appealing for a reevaluation of this exclusionary policy and implore AACPS Benefits to include coverage for anti-obesity medication in their packages. Let us prioritize the health and wellbeing of AAPCS employees and families by assuring they receive the medically necessary treatments to combat obesity and the array of health complications which accompany it. Please sign this petition to advocate for a health policy reform within AACPS Benefits that reflects the medical necessities of those it is designed to serve.