Obesity in the Spotlight on Capitol Hill: What It Means for Employers

Medically reviewed by: Kristin Baier, MD

In recent months, obesity has surged into national conversations as Capitol Hill lawmakers push for more comprehensive approaches to this public health crisis. As obesity rates in the U.S. have made headlines—with some controversy over whether they have recently plateaued, or whether they continue to rise—, politicians are taking action to address the rising costs and challenges the condition brings.

Obesity medications like Wegovy® (semaglutide) are at the center of many of these discussions, especially due to their costs and accessibility in the United States. These medications, called GLP-1s, target metabolic pathways for more effective weight loss compared to older medications, making them a focal point for both lawmakers and the public. 

Yet beyond the price tags of these medications lies a larger question: What can be done to address obesity—a complex medical condition—in a sustainable, scalable way? And how might employers play a role in the solution?

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Obesity in the workplace: A medical condition, not a matter of willpower

Obesity affects over 42% of U.S. adults as of 2024. While some recent press has argued that the national rate of obesity is beginning to plateau after years of consistent growth, studies show that severe obesity, in particular, is clearly rising. In turn, policymakers are feeling the pressure to address its many associated health, economic, and workforce implications. 

Not only is obesity linked to a range of serious medical conditions, such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease, but it also affects workplace productivity, employee well-being, and healthcare costs. 

However, contrary to outdated beliefs, those dealing with obesity or weight management challenges are not doing so by choice. These conditions are often the result of a complex interplay between genetics, environment, and biology. Only recently have more leaders in the medical field begun to acknowledge this reality, which is beginning to reshape the discourse around the use of medication to treat overweight and obesity. 

These insights have paved the way for medical interventions, like GLP-1 medications, to be recognized as essential treatments for chronic disease—not just a quick fix for the likes of celebrities and TikTok influencers. 

Recapping the 2024 senatorial hearings

September 24 hearing focused on Wegovy®, Ozempic® pricing: 

During a September 24, 2024 hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders confronted Novo Nordisk’s CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, over the high prices of the company’s diabetes and weight-loss medications, Ozempic® (semaglutide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide). 

Sanders cited research suggesting that 40,000 preventable deaths could occur annually in the U.S. if these drugs remain unaffordable. Jorgensen responded that Novo Nordisk is committed to making its medications accessible at an affordable price but emphasized the challenges posed by the U.S. healthcare system.

The hearing is part of Sanders' ongoing investigation into the pricing of medications in the U.S., where drug costs are significantly higher than in other wealthy countries.

Sanders highlighted the stark price differences, noting that while a four-week supply of Ozempic® costs $969 in the U.S., it is priced much lower in countries like Canada and Germany. Wegovy® faces similar disparities, with its U.S. price exceeding $1,300 compared to under $200 in several European nations.

The senator demanded that Novo Nordisk reconsider its pricing and emphasized that these drugs must remain accessible in light of the “twin epidemics of diabetes and obesity which, if not addressed with lower cost drugs, could cost us tens of thousands of lives and an unimaginable amount of money.” 

September 18 hearing focused on obesity crisis:

In a related hearing on September 18, the U.S. House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee gathered a panel of experts, including Dr. Mark Hyman, to address the broader impact of chronic diseases like obesity on public health and healthcare costs. 

In his written statement for the Ways and Means Subcommittee, Dr. Hyman underlined the urgency of the matter at hand, noting that “93.2% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy and suffer from high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol, are overweight, or have suffered a heart attack or stroke. In addition, more than half of our population has pre-diabetes or diabetes, and 26.4% of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) enrollees had a diabetes diagnosis in 2022.” 

These are no small strains on the American healthcare system. But how can they begin to be addressed, considering the challenges related to GLP-1 cost and access, as well as the complexity of obesity’s root cause?

Dr. Hyman underscored the importance of treating obesity as part of chronic disease prevention, highlighting how food as medicine could potentially prevent or even reverse conditions like diabetes. 

He noted that, while GLP-1 medications provide effective support for weight loss, there is a need to address the underlying contributors to obesity—such as limited nutrition education among medical professionals and reliance on highly processed foods.

Dr. Hyman proposed a solution called the Food Fix Campaign, an effort focused on “addressing the systemic challenges in the food system—with one of the clearest being the fact that nutrition education or services are not integrated into the U.S. healthcare system.”

The spotlight on these recent senatorial hearings and some of the proposed fixes shed new light on the path forward for obesity in the United States: It’s not a matter of convincing those with the condition to make changes, but instead about educating them, improving access to medication where necessary, and scaling up programs that address the underlying biologic factors of weight.  

Fortunately, that’s exactly where programs like Calibrate's can help. 

Rising healthcare costs: The impact on employers

Employers are anticipating a continued increase in healthcare costs in 2025, driven primarily by higher spending on medications. 

According to the Business Group on Health’s (BGH) annual survey, the projected 7.8% rise in healthcare spending for 2025 is the highest in over 15 years. The increase in costs is largely attributed to the surge in demand for GLP-1 drugs: As mentioned above, these medications are effective in managing obesity and related conditions, like PCOS and sleep apnea, but are also straining employer budgets due to their high list prices.

The rising costs have placed employers in a difficult position. More than three-fourths of employers surveyed expressed deep concern about the increasing costs of pharmaceuticals. In response, many employers are pushing for more transparent pricing models and reforms in the pharmaceutical supply chain. 

How employers can support sustainable weight loss

Despite the pressures resulting from rising pharmaceutical costs, employers have recognized that investing in employee well-being is no longer just a perk—it's a strategic business decision. 

Unmitigated obesity and overweight can lead to even more costly healthcare spending on medical complications like heart disease and type-2 diabetes, not to mention absenteeism and lost productivity. In fact, research suggests that employees struggling with obesity cost employers approximately 42% more in healthcare-related expenses than their non-obese peers. 

That’s why forward-thinking organizations are turning to solutions like Calibrate’s employer offering.

The Calibrate program goes beyond just prescribing GLP-1 medications. While FDA-approved medications like Wegovy® (semaglutide) and Zepbound® (tirzepatide) provide support where clinically appropriate, Calibrate emphasizes a holistic approach to weight loss that sets the stage for long-term success—an average of 18% sustained over 24 months and an average 6” reduction in waist circumference (see details). 

The program pairs medication with small, incremental changes in each member's nutrition, exercise, sleep, and emotional health habits—components that have been proven to create sustainable long-term results. Members are further supported by one-on-one coaching—helping them stay accountable and engaged throughout their weight loss journey—and a science-backed curriculum that explains the evidence behind each lifestyle change. 

For cost-conscious employers, one of the key advantages of the Calibrate program is its emphasis on smart medication management: By ensuring that the right individuals receive the right medication for the appropriate duration, alongside lifestyle intervention support, Calibrate can help reduce the over-reliance on costly GLP-1 drugs​ and avoid unnecessary long-term use. 

This leads to sustained weight loss outcomes and, for employers, translates to lower healthcare costs, fewer sick days, and a more engaged and productive workforce. It also results in a validated return on investment (ROI) of up to 3:1 for employers​. 

Looking ahead: A balanced approach to obesity management

As the debate on Capitol Hill continues, it’s clear that while medications like Wegovy® (semaglutide) can play an important role in obesity management, they’re only one piece of the puzzle. Policymakers, clinicians, and employers alike are beginning to recognize the importance of comprehensive solutions that address the behavioral, social, and environmental factors contributing to obesity.

Employers have a unique opportunity to be part of this larger movement toward better metabolic health. By offering their workforce access to programs like Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset, they can help employees achieve sustainable weight loss, improve their overall health, and boost workplace performance. 

In a time when obesity is finally receiving the national attention it deserves, businesses have the chance to lead by example—creating healthier, happier work environments while also managing the rising costs of healthcare.

Learn more about Calibrate for Employers. 

Sources cited:

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4. Tirrell, M., & Luhby, T. (2024, September 24). “Greed, greed, greed”: Sanders demands Ozempic maker lower prices. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/24/health/ozempic-novo-nordisk-sanders-hearing/index.html
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6. Laise, E. (2024, October 11). Novo Nordisk CEO spars with lawmakers over Ozempic, Wegovy prices. MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/novo-nordisk-ceo-set-to-defend-ozempic-wegovy-prices-on-capitol-hill-19adb93d
7. Sreenivasan, H., & Rogin, A. (2024, October 11). Lawmakers challenge drug company CEO over steep prices for Ozempic and Wegovy. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/lawmakers-challenge-drug-company-ceo-over-steep-prices-for-ozempic-and-wegovy
8. Hyman, M. (2024, September 18). Written statement of Mark Hyman, M.D. House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Hyman-Testimony.pdf
9. Finkelstein, E. A., Trogdon, J. G., Cohen, J. W., & Dietz, W. (2009). Annual medical spending attributable to obesity: Payer-and service-specific estimates. Health Affairs, 28(Supplement 1), w822–w831. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.28.5.w822 
10. Business Group on Health. (2024). 2025 employer health care strategy survey. https://www.businessgrouphealth.org/resources/2025-employer-health-care-strategy-survey-intro