The Broward County School District has announced it will no longer cover certain weight loss medications for employees, a move officials say will save $12 million and help manage rising healthcare costs. The change affects medications known as GLP-1 drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, when prescribed for weight loss. However, these drugs will still be covered for employees using them to treat diabetes.
The new policy is scheduled to take effect on April 1 and will impact more than 2,200 employees currently enrolled in the district’s health insurance plans. District leaders explained that Broward’s spending on healthcare has jumped by over $80 million, while the district is also facing a $90 million budget shortfall tied to declining enrollment. Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi emphasized that the move is intended to maintain stable health coverage for all workers in a challenging financial climate.
Many employees and union representatives have voiced frustration about the decision. Unions say the change could harm workers who rely on these drugs to improve their health, and they argue the policy was made without sufficient input from employee groups. Leaders with the teacher and public employee unions have described the measure as unfair and plan to protest the change, highlighting concerns that cost-cutting is coming at employees’ expense and could affect their well-being.
Currently, employees pay $25 a month for these medications, which can cost hundreds of dollars privately. After the policy takes effect, workers wishing to continue the drugs for weight loss will have to pay out-of-pocket, with prices for some starter medications available for $149 to $299 per month. Some employees, like a local elementary school teacher, say the drugs have been life-changing and removing coverage could put their health at risk. There are alternative weight-loss drugs still on the district’s insurance formulary, and officials urge affected individuals to consult their healthcare providers for options.
The change in weight loss drug coverage comes as the district is already at odds with employee groups over other insurance matters, including proposals to increase premiums and copays. While those changes require union negotiation, the district says specific decisions about which medicines are covered do not. The unions, however, dispute this and plan to publicly raise their concerns. Meanwhile, district officials maintain that the move brings Broward’s coverage policy in line with other nearby school districts such as Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, which do not cover these medications for weight loss either.
