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.
The drug is great for folks who need to go from 300 to 200lbs. But 200 to 160 is whatever. People using it to stay slim is, I mean it can work but it’s a huge deal for folks who are so overweight it causes a loop. You get depressed or stressed, you eat away the pain, you get fat. Then even if you fix your life you’re still fat and now that causes the stress and depression.