Republican Representative David Schweikert is standing by his plan to introduce the weight loss drug Ozempic across the United States, asserting that it is rooted in a desire for better health and not “fat-shaming.”
Schweikert had previously advocated for Ozempic, a medication designed for weight loss, as a key tool to reduce the nation’s healthcare budget and combat rising obesity rates. Speaking at a presentation for the Four Peaks Young Republicans on September 25th, he reiterated his position.
“It’s not about fat-shaming; it’s about fat-loving,” Schweikert asserted, as reported by The Daily Beast. “We can guide our fellow citizens back to a healthier lifestyle.”
Schweikert emphasized the need to make GLP-1s, a class of drugs that includes Ozempic, more accessible to the public, suggesting that this could facilitate weight loss and, in turn, alleviate the burden on the US healthcare system.
“Next year, one of the GLP-1s, Ozempic, loses its patent protection,” Schweikert told his audience. “The price will plummet. What if we provided access to it for morbidly obese populations on Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Services, and the VA?”
GLP-1s are typically prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, but some have also gained FDA approval for chronic weight management. Ozempic, in particular, gained popularity on social media, with influencers and celebrities acknowledging or rumored to use it to maintain their weight. Despite the medication’s popularity, it comes with various side effects, ranging from nausea and digestive issues to more severe concerns such as thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, and gallbladder problems, as reported by CNN.
The long-term side effects of Ozempic for those using it exclusively for weight loss remain uncertain, but Time Magazine suggests that the drug’s hype may influence eating disorders across the country.
Despite concerns about the medication’s safety, Schweikert remains convinced that using GLP-1s to manage Americans’ weight could positively impact the nation’s debt crisis.
“It’s more about the concept of what would happen if we could address our staggering national debt through health,” Schweikert told The Daily Beast. “It boosts productivity, allowing populations to participate in the economy.”
The Joint Economic Committee, of which Schweikert serves as vice-chair, estimates that obesity-related spending in the US between 2024 and 2033 could reach $4.1 trillion. Lawmakers are actively researching the economic implications of their anti-obesity proposal.
However, the financial savings predicted by the Republican congressman’s proposal remain a subject of debate. Currently, most private and government insurers do not cover weight loss drugs, which can cost upwards of $1,000 per month per person, according to Scientific American. The Congressional Budget Office has produced a report suggesting that Medicare covering weight loss medications could potentially increase federal spending.
The ongoing debate surrounding Ozempic and its role in addressing obesity and healthcare spending reflects the complex interplay of health, economics, and public policy in the United States.
