Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's weight has become a topic of public discussion, fueled by personal attacks from former President Donald Trump and the governor's own administration's policies regarding weight-loss drugs. This article explores the interplay between Pritzker's weight loss, Trump's comments, and the broader political implications, as well as the financial considerations surrounding the state's expanded coverage of weight-loss medications.
Trump's Taunts and Pritzker's Retort
The feud between JB Pritzker and Donald Trump has often included personal attacks. Trump has repeatedly targeted Pritzker's weight, saying the Illinois governor was “too busy eating” to lead his state and that he "ought to spend more time in the gym."
Pritzker responded to Trump's jibes, stating, "It takes one to know one on the weight question. And the president, of course, himself, is not in good shape." Pritzker added that Trump's personal attacks were evidence of a "guy who's still living in fifth grade."
These exchanges occurred amidst escalating tension over the potential deployment of the National Guard in Chicago. Trump has portrayed Chicago as a "killing field," while Pritzker has called Trump's approach "unconstitutional" and "a dangerous power grab."
Weight Loss and Political Ambitions
Political insiders have suggested that Pritzker's slimmed-down look may be a signal that the Democrat is considering a 2028 presidential run. Republican strategist Mark McKinnon told Politico Pritzker’s slimmer look "looks like he’s getting ready for a fight," while consultant David Kochel noted weight loss is increasingly part of a political makeover: "If you want to look younger and healthier, it makes total sense."
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Figures like Chris Christie and Mike Pompeo have also shed pounds before mounting national campaigns. Trump himself even alluded to this possibility, mocking Pritzker personally earlier in the week, saying he "ought to spend more time in the gym, actually," and pointing out that even Pritzker’s recent weight loss looks like a telltale sign of a possible 2028 presidential run.
Expanding Access to Weight-Loss Drugs: A Costly Initiative
Amidst the political sparring, Pritzker's administration has quietly pushed to expand coverage of high-priced weight-loss drugs for the state government’s workforce. This initiative could cost Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
The state is seeking an estimated $210 million to fund the first full year of broadened coverage, starting July 1. This is when all health insurance carriers involved in the state health program have to cover injectable medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic for state workers, legislators, judges, and their dependents. These drugs, championed by celebrities like Charles Barkley and Amy Schumer, can cost more than $16,000 a year.
The Pritzker administration argues that access to the medication will yield important health benefits and provide equitable access across the state’s insurance plans. However, one economist has estimated that the state’s yearly outlay could be three times the state’s estimate, depending on the number of people who access the program.
Concerns Over Transparency and Cost
The expansion of weight-loss drug coverage was included in an 899-page budget bill approved last May. A four-sentence provision codified that carriers in the state program “shall provide coverage for all types of injectable medicines prescribed on-label or off-label to improve glucose or weight loss for use by adults diagnosed or previously diagnosed with prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or obesity.”
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Multiple legislators learned about the initiative for the first time after being reached by WBEZ. State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, “Dropping a bill out of the air on the last day of session with something in it that nobody knows about and then blowing the doors off the budget, that is insanity.” He added, "This is a flat-out indictment of a process where bills are voted on with thousands of pages dropped as they’re being voted on, within an hour of being voted on, within a couple hours of being voted on, and nobody voting for them even knows what’s in them."
Despite concerns about the cost, the coverage was quietly pushed through. The drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been shown to help overweight people reduce their weight significantly.
Justification and Potential Financial Strain
The state Department of Central Management Services (CMS) argues that the expanded coverage will help eliminate long-term health problems. Enrollees are required to participate in their health plan’s lifestyle management program.
However, the cost of these drugs could place a significant strain on the state's finances. A report by the Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability cited coverage of the weight-loss drugs as one driver of a nearly 17% increase in state group health insurance liabilities for the upcoming state fiscal year.
One expert estimated that the net cost to Illinois in mandating coverage of the drugs could range between $300 million and more than $461 million if half of the eligible individuals on the state program that are estimated to be obese partake in coverage.
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A Contentious Issue
The Pritzker administration defends the initiative, stating that its aim is to achieve “equity” among all nine different health insurance plans offered by the state to its employees. However, some lawmakers remain concerned about the lack of transparency and the potential financial burden on taxpayers.
Veteran state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, said, “Something like this just illustrates how dangerous it is to put things in the BIMP bill of this magnitude. To my knowledge, it was never vetted. It was never discussed.”
As more becomes known about the cost-benefit scenario associated with this class of drugs, other states have been forced to reconsider their coverage policies. North Carolina, for example, pulled the plug on its insurance coverage of injectable weight-loss drugs for its government workers due to the potential financial burden.