LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
AM 2024
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
DESTIN
RESOLUTION 201
GLP-1 Agonist Utilization
SUBJECT:
INTRODUCED BY: Medical Student Section ____________________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS , Obesity (BMI>30) is a chronic disease and major health issue with a prevalence of 36.8% in the state of Louisiana, one of the third highest in the nation 1 Obesity is associated with a host of comorbidities and adverse health outcomes including but not limited to cardiovascular disease e.g. type 2 diabetes (T2DM), sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, cancer, etc 2 . WHEREAS , the health burden obesity places on the health care system is tremendous, estimated to incur $100 billion annually across the nation. 2 This in turn creates a higher burden on pat ient’s medical bills in the U.S., and compared to those of normal weight those with obesity had higher annual medical care cost by $2,505 3 . WHEREAS , Treatment options for obesity have mostly aimed towards lifestyle, dieting, and exercise. Creating regimens for those with comorbidities such as T2DM and cardiovascular disease only further complicates matters for they may be unable make such progressions in weight loss without medical or even surgical intervention. WHEREAS , the advent of GLP-1 agonist has served as a crucial treatment for those who have diabetes and obese due to their tremendous effects on weight loss. Recent research from a sub-analysis of the US national survey (1999-2006) found that 80.3% of T2DM patients were overweight or higher with BMI > 25 and an increasing prevalence of diabetes attributed to increasing body weight 4 . WHEREAS , Current coverage measures make it substantially more difficult for those with T2DM to receive coverage for GLP-1 agonist despite meeting the necessary criteria. Even though patients are making substantial progress on these medications, once their T2DM is under control the medication can be rescinded, which only promotes further weight gain and progression of disease. There is no contingency plan on treating obesity in this subset of patients and those who can lose weight with medications like these. Along with this, the lack of support from insurers and employers has made obtaining these medications increasingly difficult. The cost of these medications for more vulnerable communities serves as a barrier to health and more importantly to access, as was stated but a similar policy regarding this topic by the AMA 6 . The reluctance of such key players in the industry to cover these medications for those that qualify objectively becomes a social determinant of health.
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