Health Groups Requested Medicaid Weight Loss Drug Expansion

Advocates have urged New Mexico officials to widen access to GLP-1 medications to address healthcare disparities.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Weight Loss

Health Groups Requested Medicaid Weight Loss Drug Expansion

Live Poll

Should state Medicaid programs cover weight loss drugs for all eligible patients?

Health organizations have requested that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expand New Mexico Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs. Proponents argue this expansion would reduce obesity-related health disparities across the state.

Why it matters

Advocates believe that increasing access to GLP-1 medications through Medicaid is essential for mitigating disparities in care. The request aims to address the growing public health challenges associated with obesity in New Mexico.

New Mexico Medicaid spending on Ozempic reached $38.7 million in 2025, marking a 34% increase from 2024. This total is more than double the amount spent by the state program in 2023.

The players

Michelle Lujan Grisham

She is the current Governor of New Mexico who received the letter from health advocacy groups.

National Hispanic Health Foundation

This organization was part of the coalition that sent the formal request to the governor.

American Diabetes Association

This nonprofit works to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

The details

A coalition of organizations sent a letter to the governor on Oct. 1 to request budget allocations for expanded access to GLP-1 drugs. The state Medicaid program currently manages access to these treatments, which are prescribed for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

2023 served as the baseline for Medicaid spending on Ozempic.
2024 served as the baseline for the annual spending increase.
New Mexico spent $38.7 million on Ozempic during 2025.
Advocates delivered the request to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on October 1.

The Big Picture

The request in New Mexico mirrors debates seen in other states regarding the interpretation of the Affordable Care Act's essential health benefits provisions. This effort follows a pattern set by state-level attempts to define the scope of covered medications under existing healthcare frameworks.

Expanded Medicaid coverage could directly impact the financial burden for low-income New Mexico residents currently managing obesity or Type 2 diabetes. Depending on the outcome, patients may face fewer out-of-pocket costs or gain access to medications previously excluded from their plans.

The takeaway

The rise in Medicaid spending on GLP-1 drugs highlights a growing budgetary challenge for states managing obesity treatments. Patients should monitor state legislative updates to see if new coverage parameters affect their individual healthcare options.