KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County employees have a drug problem, and now it’s an issue for the county board.
Human Resources director Sharon Brown says they have seen a rapid rise in the use of GLP-1s, the popular weight loss and diabetes medication often advertised on TV.
She says Kalamazoo County may have the only publicly administered healthcare plan in the Midwest that covers the use of the drug for weight loss alone, and it’s jacking up every employee’s healthcare costs.
It began escalating in 2023.
Brown is recommending they limit coverage to employees who need the medication for medical reasons, like diabetes or sleep apnea.
She says surveys of the employees show they are split.
Brown says 20% of the total cost of prescriptions is now spent on these weight loss drugs, and it could go higher next year.
Commissioners are also split, with Dale DeLeeuw saying it’s more than just a weight loss remedy.
Vice chair John Taylor says he’s all for increasing employee benefits, but this is costing too much money.
Brown says she will be asking commissioners at their next meeting to make a decision on whether to change their policy.
She has been asked to also come back with alternative weight loss solutions and says whatever they decide is going to make some employees unhappy.
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