In this photo illustration, boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic rest on a pharmacy counter. Ozempic was originally approved to treat people with Type 2 diabetes, but demand has surged because of the drug’s weight-loss benefits. Thirteen states cover GLP-1 drugs through their Medicaid programs, and others are considering following suit. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Lawmakers are trying to restore access to GLP-1 weight loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, after Ohio removed medical coverage for state employees.
When he was 21 years old, Josh Williams fell 30 feet off the side of a train, crushing his spine — causing 20 years of pain.
“I underwent a lot of back surgeries and at one point I grew to 458 pounds in my heaviest,” Williams said. “I was on prescription opiates for over a decade, and it ruined my metabolism.”
His struggle to lose the weight exacerbated his back pain, he said, but one drug made all the difference…