Packages of the injectable weight-loss medication Wegovy are shown (Photo illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
As a physician assistant in Charlotte, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of new obesity medications on patients battling this disease. These treatments have enabled individuals to achieve significant weight loss, improve their metabolic health, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
In August 2024, North Carolina’s Medicaid program expanded coverage to include FDA-approved obesity management medications for beneficiaries aged 12 and older. This policy change recognized obesity as a serious health condition requiring medical intervention and aimed to provide equitable access to effective treatments for low-income residents…