Biden Proposal for Medicare and Medicaid to Cover Weight-Loss Drugs Faces Uncertain Future Under Trump Administration

The $35 billion plan could expand access to GLP-1 medications for millions of Americans but faces skepticism from key Trump appointees.

The Biden administration has proposed a rule requiring Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, for eligible obese Americans.
The plan, projected to cost $35 billion over a decade, could provide coverage to millions but hinges on approval from the incoming Trump administration.
President-elect Trump's appointees, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, have expressed differing views on the proposal's merits and long-term impact.
Currently, Medicare is barred from covering weight-loss drugs, and Medicaid coverage varies by state, leaving these costly medications inaccessible to many Americans.
Critics, including lawmakers and health experts, have raised concerns about the high costs, potential side effects, and the need for broader strategies to address obesity.