In a bid to cut it's rising obesity costs, West Virginia's Medicaid program is calling in Weight Watchers to help it's residents slim down.

According to an Associated Press report, up to 75,000 West Virginians will soon be eligible for free weight loss courses through Weight Watchers, thanks to an effort by the state Medicaid program and the health benefits group UniCare, the largest provider of Medicaid coverage in the state.

If the program is successful in West Virginia, Wellpoint will look at rolling out similar programs in the 14 states where it provides benefits,. Those states are California, Colorado Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.

How's that for putting your money where your mouth is?

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com