The new rule would expand access to drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound for an additional 3.4 million Americans who use Medicare and another 4 million people enrolled in Medicaid.

Summary

The Biden administration proposed requiring Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, reclassifying obesity as a chronic disease to expand access for millions.

This would reduce out-of-pocket costs, but federal spending could rise by $36 billion over a decade.

Critics, like Sen. Bernie Sanders, warn high drug prices could strain the system, while experts argue reduced obesity-related complications may lower long-term healthcare costs.

The plan faces a 60-day comment period, leaving its implementation uncertain under the incoming Trump administration.

  • Ben Hur Horse Race@lemm.eeEnglish
    9·
    16 days ago

    the thing is maintaining weight is one thing, while running at a massive deficit to lose weight is much, much harder.

    with these weight loss drugs, the deficit is basically going to happen whether you like it or not because you can’t eat.

    when you come off of it, you’re going to have to eat less than you did when you put the weight on, but you basically get to skip the difficulty of running at a huge deficit for months in order to lose it.