Weight loss drugs can save lives in Maryland

According to Maryland’s Department of Health, “66.5% of Marylanders over the age of 18 years are considered overweight or obese.” Read that again — over two-thirds of Maryland’s adult population is considered obese or overweight. Obesity is a condition that exacerbates chronic diseases such as heart disease — the leading cause of death in the United States — shortens life expectancy and can place a burden on the health care system. Enter Ozempic, and the family of GLP-1 medications. Originally, these medications were designed to treat Type 2 diabetes but were quickly adapted to also aid in weight loss and a treatment path for obesity. Unfortunately, most insurance, including Maryland’s state Medicaid program, does not cover weight loss medications.

While promoting healthy lifestyle choices should always be a priority, there are realistic barriers and inequities that prevent a healthy lifestyle to be an option for a lot of people. Social determinants like income, access to healthy food and safe neighborhoods for exercise disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. For many, managing weight through diet and exercise alone is not feasible due to these structural barriers and other biological predispositions. By making weight loss medications such as Ozempic accessible to those on Medicaid, Maryland could take a crucial step toward leveling the playing field. Currently, around a quarter of Maryland’s population is enrolled in Medicaid. That’s roughly 1.6 million residents that could have access to this significant medication.

One of the most compelling arguments for covering weight loss drugs is their demonstrated effectiveness in reducing chronic disease risks. GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, work by suppressing appetite and regulating blood sugar levels, helping users achieve sustained weight loss. Clinical trials have shown that these medications lead to significant reductions in body weight, often leading to better control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. For people struggling with obesity, these improvements can make a meaningful difference, reducing the risk of conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers.

Currently, Maryland’s Medicaid covers some of the extensive costs associated with managing chronic conditions, many of which stem from obesity. Some coverages offered by the state’s Medicaid include nutrition counseling and intensive behavioral therapies. By investing in weight loss medications now, the state could save a significant amount in future health care expenses. Consider this: The lifetime cost of managing Type 2 diabetes, which obesity often precipitates, includes regular doctor visits, medications and potential hospitalizations. Offering Ozempic and similar drugs as part of Medicaid could not only alleviate suffering for individuals but also reduce these long-term costs by preventing or mitigating the severity of these conditions.

Equity is another important part of the equation. Access to weight loss treatments should not be limited to those who can afford high out-of-pocket costs or comprehensive insurance plans. Obesity rates are disproportionately higher in low-income communities and communities of color, populations that Maryland’s Medicaid program primarily serves. Ensuring Medicaid coverage for weight loss medications can help address these disparities, providing individuals with a medically sound option for weight management regardless of their income. By doing so, Maryland can contribute to health equity and take steps toward alleviating one of the state’s most pressing public health issues.

All of this isn’t to say that weight loss medications are magic pills for obesity and lifestyle changes should be omitted. But for many, these medications represent a feasible intervention where others have failed. A comprehensive approach to tackling obesity should promote healthy diets and exercise, but it must also acknowledge that not all individuals have equal access to those solutions. It must also be acknowledged that there are other biological factors that should be considered from a holistic approach to weight loss, not just diet and exercise. Weight loss medications, when used as part of a broader health plan, can offer much-needed support for people who face systemic barriers to weight management.

Maryland’s policymakers have the chance to prioritize both public health and fiscal responsibility by expanding Medicaid coverage to include GLP-1 medications as weight loss treatments and intervention. The state’s investment in this coverage could yield long-term dividends in healthier residents and reduced health care costs. It’s time for Maryland to take a stand for the health of all its residents, offering everyone an opportunity to achieve a healthier life.

Michelle Rogers is a master’s of public health student at George Washington University concentrating in public health promotion and policy. She is from Laurel, Maryland.

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