Washington, November 26, 2024 – President Joe Biden has proposed a plan to allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover costly weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic for millions of obese Americans. This initiative aims to address the growing obesity epidemic and its associated health risks, such as heart disease and diabetes, which are placing increasing strain on the U.S. healthcare system.
Currently, Medicare does not cover weight-loss drugs, despite evidence showing that GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy can help with significant weight loss and improved overall health. If approved, the plan could make these medications more accessible, particularly to older adults at greater risk for obesity-related conditions.
However, the high cost of these medications, often exceeding $13,000 annually, raises concerns about the financial impact on Medicare. Lawmakers worry that the expanded coverage could strain the Medicare budget, especially if a large number of beneficiaries choose to use the medications.
To address these concerns, some have suggested using the Inflation Reduction Act to negotiate drug prices, though such efforts could take years to fully implement. Despite the potential challenges, supporters of the proposal argue that increasing access to weight-loss drugs could ultimately reduce long-term healthcare costs by preventing obesity-related diseases.
