WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT — Nearly half of Americans are at least “somewhat” interested in taking a prescription weight-loss drug, according to a new poll out this morning from KFF — with about 20 percent of the country being “very interested.” The attitudes could signal big changes on the horizon for not only weight loss in the U.S. but also the economics of health care, especially as drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy find huge new demand. But there are a few catches. The share of people interested in prescriptions for weight loss drops to 16 percent if their insurance company doesn’t cover them. The same would be true if the FDA approved the drug for conditions other than weight loss. Even fewer — 14 percent — were interested in the drugs if they were to regain the weight after they stopped taking them. Even with those limitations in interest, the change could be substantial. Nearly 9 in 10 adults said they’ve never taken a weight-loss drug, according to the poll, and only 4 percent currently take medication to lose weight. How insurance companies and regulators treat the drugs — and future drug development — could be big for the future of weight-loss medications. But the reaction from insurers hasn’t been enthusiastic. “[W]e are not seeing a need to develop a program on obesity that extends beyond bariatric surgery at this time,” a spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement to Pulse, though they noted that the group is “encouraged to see that the near-term pipeline of improved [glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists] and oral versions could lead to greater competition and opportunities to increase access and affordability to members.” And the debate — among both payers and the general public — may just be starting. “There’s interest among the public for insurers to cover it … but what does it mean if it increases everyone’s monthly premiums?” Ashley Kirzinger, director of survey methodology and associate director of the Public Opinion and Survey Research Program at KFF, told Pulse. “I think we’re just seeing the debate of coverage around these drugs playing out.” Washington sits at the center of the decisions as well, something the makers of weight-loss drugs, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, have demonstrated through recent lobbying efforts. Still in play: the FDA’s decision on how the drugs should be used, CMS’ call on coverage and how lawmakers may try to address the issue via legislation. “It’s going to have some major health policy implications,” said Kirzinger, “and it’s going to be hotly debated.” WELCOME TO FRIDAY PULSE, where your host is signing off regular Pulse duties. But I still want to keep in touch, and you’ll still regularly see my reporting here. You can also follow my reporting on Twitter, Threads and Bluesky. Send me a note — and let’s find time for a coffee — at dpayne@politico.com. TODAY ON OUR PULSE CHECK PODCAST, host Alice Miranda Ollstein talks with David Lim, who gives an update on the rise in Covid-related hospitalizations and explains why the White House is confident that treatments and vaccines can manage a potential fall outbreak.
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