Ozempic, Anti-Diabetic Medications May Drive Up County Insurance Costs

After months of controversy surrounding INDOT contracts, planning commission disputes, and the reversal of Hardinsburg’s 2022 dissolution, Tuesday’s meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners was quieter — though not without moments of discontent and a sobering financial update.

Commissioners Tony Cardwell, Phillip Marshall, and Todd Ewen.

The first speaker on the agenda was Lucy Brenton, who used her time to argue against property taxation.

“Over the term of a 30-year mortgage, most people will have paid enough taxes to actually equal the amount that they paid for their property,” Brenton said. “There are commercial transactions which the Constitution recognizes could be taxed. It is not a commercial transaction to have dormant property earning no income, which is the situation most of us find ourselves in.”

Brenton added that homes and vehicles not used commercially should not be subject to taxation under the Constitution.

Next, Hardinsburg residents Pam and Alvin Lockhart raised concerns that the town’s newly restored government may limit public access to the Senior Citizens Center. Alvin Lockhart pointed to the Town Board’s meeting the night before.

Pam and Alvin Lockhart

“They just opened the building all on their own, and never even notified us,” he said.

Commissioner Phillip Marshall responded, noting the facility’s legal status. “It’s considered an asset to the Town of Hardinsburg,” he said. “It’s on all the bank statements as an asset to the Town. I can’t say that I agree with everything, I can only go by what rules state.”

Paul Eckert of Temple & Temple provided an update on the new highway garage project located near the bypass on South State Road 135. His update was followed by Zack Richards of Knapp Miller Brown Insurance Services, who reported that the county’s health insurance costs may be on the rise.

“From September to March, the amount paid premium-wise was $733,060.23. Total claims paid: $729,373,” Richards said. “As everybody knows, insurance companies like winning — and they’re barely ahead right now. So I anticipate there’s going to be an increase.”

Zack Richards

Richards shared that Ozempic and Mounjaro — both anti-diabetic medications — were the most prescribed drugs under the plan, with 232 and 110 prescriptions respectively. Combined with eight other top medications, they accounted for around $136,000 of the $188,000 total spent on prescriptions.

“So you’re saying these so-called diabetic drugs, these top ten, are accounting for $136,000 of the $188,000 of claims…” commented Commissioner Todd Ewen. “These are like weight-loss drugs, right?”

“They are labeled anti-diabetic,” Richards replied. “I think they have been prescribed outside of that, but I’m not a doctor.”

“And we are basically footing the bill for that.”

“Yeah... There are other drugs on that top ten, obviously, but five of the ten are anti-diabetic.”

Before adjourning, commissioners' attorney April Geltmaker reminded the board of a new state law requiring all governing bodies to livestream their public meetings.

“There are many platforms that these agencies can use — YouTube, Zoom — there’s no cost,” Geltmaker said. “I believe we’re using YouTube. I just wanted to share that [the Commissioners] are compliant.”