Health care costs are a growing part of what makes everyday life in New Hampshire harder to afford. For many Granite Staters, managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or obesity isn’t just about doctor visits. It’s about access to medications that can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month. 

In Episode 2 of Season Two of New Hampshire Uncharted, host Gene Martin is joined by Senator Sue Prentiss to explore her proposal that would require certain health insurance plans to cover GLP-1 medications for people who meet specific medical criteria. 

Supporters say the bill could improve health outcomes and prevent more costly complications down the road. Critics raise concerns about insurance premiums and overall system costs. In this episode, we unpack what the legislation would actually do, and what’s at stake for Granite Staters. 

What Are GLP-1 Medications and Why Are They in the Spotlight? 

GLP-1 medications have received growing national attention, with brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy becoming household terms. But what do they actually do? 

As Senator Prentiss explains, “A GLP-1 mimics a body’s hormone, which essentially manages blood sugar. It talks to you…about whether you’re full or not.” 

These medications were first used to treat Type 2 diabetes, helping regulate blood sugar levels. More recently, they have also been prescribed to treat obesity, which Prentiss emphasizes is not cosmetic, but medical. 

“Obesity is a medical condition. And if obesity goes untreated, it brings on…chronic conditions that are really costly.” 

Those conditions can include heart disease, high blood pressure, and other serious complications that are expensive to treat and can significantly reduce quality of life. 

“This is not a shortcut,” she says. “This is actually science.” 

What the Bill Would Do 

The proposed legislation is narrower than some might expect. It would require certain employer-based health insurance plans to cover GLP-1 medications for individuals who meet the criteria for weight loss surgery, offering medication as an alternative to surgical intervention. 

Currently, many insurance plans cover GLP-1 medications for diabetes treatment but exclude them for obesity treatment. That leaves patients paying out of pocket, often $400 to $1,000 per month, even when their doctor prescribes the medication as medically necessary. 

The Cost Question: Short-Term Spending vs. Long-Term Savings 

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the proposed legislation is the cost.  

Prentiss argues that preventing chronic disease may ultimately reduce overall health care spending. In the podcast, she shares data illustrating how expensive unmanaged conditions can become. Dialysis, kidney failure, heart procedures, and hospital stays, for example, often cost far more than preventive pharmaceutical treatment. 

“Imagine if we could prevent all of that by being proactive with this type of medication,” said Prentiss. 

A Personal Perspective 

In a powerful moment during the episode, Senator Prentiss shared her own experience. 

After struggling with weight and related health issues, she qualified medically for weight loss surgery. Instead, she pursued GLP-1 treatment, paying out of pocket when insurance denied coverage. 

“This investment that I made actually changed the trajectory of my overall health,” she said. 

Her blood pressure stabilized. Lab results improved. Health complications were reduced. While anecdotal, her experience reflects stories many Granite Staters have shared, and highlights the real-life impact behind policy debates. 

About New Hampshire Uncharted 

Season Two of New Hampshire Uncharted focuses on policy proposals that could shape the Granite State’s future from health care to housing to affordability. 

If there’s a proposal you’d like the podcast to explore this session, email podcast@nhfpi.org. 

To keep up with new episodes and NHFPI’s latest research, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and visit nhfpi.org/podcast.