GLP-1s for Alcohol Abuse, Costs of Privatizing VA, & Medicaid Unwinding’s Impact On Employers

Hey all,

A huge congrats to our Co-Founder Dr. Mehmet Oz on his appointment to run CMS! In today’s rundown I was especially interested in a new Swedish study that found GLP-1s help with alcohol addiction. This tracks with my observations at the weight management practice I started/ran, which saw GLP-1s also reduce binge shopping, drug use, and sex addiction. Enjoy the rundown!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroCard)

GLP-1s May Work Better in Alcohol Use Disorder (The Frontier Psychiatrists)

A recent large-scale cohort study in Sweden, published in JAMA Psychiatry, indicates that GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and liraglutide significantly reduce alcohol-related hospitalizations in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), surpassing the effectiveness of traditional AUD treatments. The study analyzed data from 227,866 individuals, revealing that while standard AUD medications often increase the risk of suicide attempts and show limited efficacy, GLP-1s offer a promising alternative. Full Article

Privatizing the VA: The Unseen Costs (Healthcare Uncovered)

The article critiques the push to privatize Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare, warning of higher costs, reduced care quality, and loss of specialized veteran-focused services. It also highlights how Medicare Advantage (MA) plans often receive full premiums while providing little to no actual coverage, raising concerns about profit-driven inefficiencies in privatized systems. Privatization, while marketed as increasing choice, risks fragmenting care and prioritizing corporate profits over veterans’ health needs. Full Article

Impact of Medicaid Unwinding on Employer Health Plans (Employer Coverage)

The article discusses how the recent “Medicaid unwinding”—the process of states reassessing Medicaid eligibility post-pandemic—has led to a significant number of individuals losing their Medicaid coverage. This shift is expected to increase enrollment in employer-sponsored health plans as former Medicaid beneficiaries seek alternative coverage, potentially raising costs for employers and impacting plan structures. Employers are advised to prepare for this influx by evaluating their health plan offerings and considering strategies to manage the anticipated rise in enrollment and associated expenses. Full Article