Drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists were initially developed to treat Type 2 diabetes but have become a cultural phenomenon.

The federal government is expected to start a 5-year-long experiment that will provide some limited coverage of obesity medications.

According to the Washington Post, 13 states currently cover the drugs for Medicaid patients, while Medicare prohibits coverage of the drugs used solely for weight loss, but allows for treating indications they are approved for like sleep apnea and heart disease.