KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners has approved increasing the monthly co-pay for a popular new weight loss drug, as a stop gap until they can explore other options.
The GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic do a lot, but they also cost a lot, and the county’s decision to make them part of their employee medical plan will cost them $1.5 million this year.
Commissioners remained split on what to do about it. Vice Chair John Taylor says they shouldn’t be allocating nearly 2% of their entire annual budget to subsidize one prescription drug.
“We’re asking every family to pay an extra $260 a year. Every individual to pay an extra $200 a year out of their paycheck for something that’s being used by 80 to 100 people. I don’t think we can continue to go down this road of $1.6 million, $2 million next year. We need to get a handle on this. It’s spiraling out of control.”
Commissioner Monteze Morales says it reduces weight and alleviates all the healthy problems that causes, creating happier and healthier employees.
“Obesity is real. It leads to depression, it leads to suicide. Sleep apnea is gone, high blood pressure is gone, diabetes has really lowered out and they’re able to manage their weight and their diet well.”
Chair Jen Strebs blamed the drug firms for making the drug available for next to nothing for some, and gouging health insurance plans like the county’s. She called it “profiteering”.
“This is incredibly complex. There’s about 85 different zigs and zags we can take.”
The Board of Commissioners settled on a one-year compromise. They will impose a $200 monthly co-pay on employees taking the drug to trim their weight, but will continue to subsidize it for employees who have a prescription for diabetes. At the same time staff will pursue other options to bring down costs for the county and its employees in the future.
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