By Vinny Porco
Starting 2027, the University of Louisville will no longer cover employees’ GLP-1 medications for the purpose of weight management. Additionally, employees will see a 5% increase in premiums.
An email addressed from President Gerry Bradley and Provost Kathryn Cardarelli was delivered to all employees Wednesday morning outlining the changes.
They explained that U of L’s health plan is self-funded, meaning the university covers the difference of expenses after employees pay around 20%. In the past two years combined, this roughly 80% difference has cost the university over $16 million.
Bradley and Cardarelli called the cost “unsustainable” heading into the 2027 financial year. “Without changes to healthcare coverage, employee premiums would need to rise 16% to cover projected cost increases,” they stated.
To mitigate premium increases, U of L will stop covering GLP-1 medications, with the exception of those used to treat medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes. The email stated this will affect 804 employees and dependent family members out of the around 10,975 individuals enrolled in U of L’s health insurance plan.
University spokesperson John Karman told The Cardinal the GLP-1 cuts alone are projected to save U of L around $5 million. He said U of L spent $6.4 million on GLP-1’s for the purpose of weight management in 2025, and had already shelled out $4.1 million for 2026 as of June.
Bradley and Cardarelli noted that U of L was one of two known higher education institutions in Kentucky to offer comprehensive coverage of GLP-1’s to this point; the other is Murray State University. They also said the decision will be reviewed in the future should the cost of GLP-1 medications lower.
In the email, Bradley and Cardarelli lamented the quick turnaround time of the decision. “We had a very short window to act,” they stated. “Rates had to be set ahead of the upcoming open enrollment period (Oct. 12-Oct. 30), which left far less time for campus dialogue than we would like.”
Consulted about the changes in coverage were the Human Resources Advisory Committee, Executive Leadership Team and Council of Academic Officers, who all reportedly preferred the GLP-1 cuts over higher premium increases.
President Bradley and Provost Cardarelli field audience questions at a town hall event held Aug. 26, 2026 in Chao Auditorium. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)
The subject of employee healthcare costs was brought up at the president and provost’s “Town Hall” meeting Wednesday, Aug. 26 in Chao Auditorium. A faculty audience member suggested to Bradley and Cardarelli that employees may be willing to contribute more towards their healthcare expenses in order to mitgate future reductions in force.
Although neither administrator specifcially addressed GLP-1’s or confirmed an increase in premiums at the meeting, Bradley’s response acknowledged the financial challenges ahead.
“We will have to look at that, because guess what? Healthcare costs are still rising. We’re not going to be changing this narrative next year, and we will have to make decisions. Do we have to pass on more costs to employees?”
The Sept. 2 email encouraged those losing GLP-1 coverage to approach their providers for alternatives and contact Human Resources with any questions regarding the changes.
Feature Photo by Sara Montoya-Obando
