Diabetes

• Major U.S. health insurers are limiting coverage of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to their original FDA-approved use for diabetes management, excluding weight loss treatments. • According to industry analyst Andy, this shift reverses prior expansions amid rising costs and supply shortages, affecting millions of patients seeking obesity care. • The policy change aims to control spending on these high-demand medications, which have seen off-label use surge, potentially pushing patients toward alternatives or out-of-pocket payments.

• A new study from Project Viva shows that replacing 30 minutes of daily sitting time with exercise significantly lowers type 2 diabetes risk in teens aged around 13. • Researchers analyzed data from over 800 adolescents in Eastern Massachusetts who wore movement trackers and kept sleep logs for up to 10 days. • Results exceeded expectations, highlighting small lifestyle changes' strong protective effects against future diabetes in youth.

• The American Podiatric Medical Association announced strong support for the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act, bipartisan legislation introduced in the House on March 13 and Senate on March 17, 2026. • The bill aims to improve health outcomes for approximately 1 in 3 Medicare patients and 1 in 7 Medicaid patients living with diabetes by modernizing outdated policies affecting foot and ankle care. • Lead sponsors include Reps. John Joyce (R-PA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mike Rulli (R-OH), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Mike Kennedy (R-UT), and Darren Soto (D-FL) in the House, and Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in the Senate.

• The New York State Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Ron Kim requiring health insurers to cover diabetes screening for Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals with BMI of 23 or higher, aligning with clinical guidelines for higher metabolic risk. • Physician Charles Lopresto, DO, from Queens advocated for the bill, noting Type 2 diabetes often goes undiagnosed for years, leading to complications like kidney disease and vision loss in diverse communities where 11% of Queens adults have diabetes. • The legislation addresses gaps in traditional BMI thresholds of 25+, aiming to enable earlier detection and prevention in at-risk populations per New York Department of Health data.

Recent research examined by Mad in America reveals significant connections between psychiatric diagnoses, psychotropic drug use, and increased risk factors for obesity and diabetes, highlighting gaps in current screening practices. The studies indicate that individuals receiving psychiatric treatment face elevated metabolic health risks, yet comprehensive screening protocols often fail to adequately address these connections. The findings underscore the need for integrated healthcare approaches that monitor and manage both mental health conditions and associated metabolic complications in psychiatric patients.