-Right now, weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are covered under Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance program for low-income Californians.

Governor Gavin Newsom wants to cut back this coverage starting next year to save the state money.

Wegovy and Ozempic are costly and have been driving up Medi-Cal spending.

The governor's office says scaling back coverage for these drugs would save the state up to $680 million by 2029.

Overall, prescription drug costs are a growing pain point in the state's Medi-Cal program.

In fiscal year 2024, prescription drugs cost Medi-Cal close to $15.2 billion, according to state drug cost reports.

That's about a 10% increase from the previous year.

Newsom's plan to cut coverage for weight loss drugs is one of several proposed rollbacks in the Medi-Cal program as the state attempts to address a projected $12 billion deficit.

The cut has to be finalized in a pending budget deal between the governor and the legislature.

If approved, this means low-income patients would have to pay more than $1,000 a month for these drugs if they want to continue using them.

One key exception is that people who are prescribed Ozempic for diabetes would still get their prescriptions covered by Medi-Cal.

Health providers and advocates worry about the impact this will have on people who aren't diabetic but are taking the drugs to manage their weight and treat obesity.

Dr. Wayne Ho, a Los Angeles obesity specialist and researcher, said patients will likely regain the weight they've lost and also lose the health benefits they've gained, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

-It is the best tool that I have had as a primary care physician in practicing preventative medicine because we know that obesity is linked with so many conditions.

-An estimated 18 million adults in California are obese or overweight, according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

For CalMatters, I'm Ana Ibarra.