Trump Administration Drops Proposal for Medicare Coverage of Anti-Obesity Drugs
The Trump administration has decided against expanding Medicare coverage for anti-obesity medications, impacting millions of potential beneficiaries.
Had the Trump administration let the proposal go forward, it could’ve cost them billions as weight-loss drugs are expensive.
Trump reverses Biden decision to cover weight loss drugs under Medicare and Medicaid
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The Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have said that slashing federal spending is one of their primary focuses.
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The proposed rule drew nearly 25,000 comments, many of which urged the agency to move forward with the policy.
Trump drops Medicare obesity drug proposal
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However, many insurers, employers, and other payers have been hesitant to cover the drugs due to their high cost—often hundreds of dollars per month—and the large number of potential users.
Trump administration gives update on Medicare coverage
Newsweek·1M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Polls show Americans favor having Medicaid and Medicare cover the costs.
Trump administration nixes plan to cover anti-obesity drugs through Medicare
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Summary
The Trump administration will not proceed with a Biden-era proposal to cover anti-obesity drugs under Medicare and Medicaid. The decision comes in light of high costs associated with the proposed coverage, which could have allowed drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound to be accessible to 7 million Americans. Current law restricts Medicare from covering drugs used solely for weight loss, leading to a continuation of existing policies. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously expressed skepticism towards these medications, advocating for lifestyle changes instead.
Perspectives
The Trump administration has decided not to cover anti-obesity drugs under Medicare, reversing a Biden proposal aimed at extending coverage to these high-cost medications.
Concerns about the fiscal impact of covering obesity drugs have influenced the administration's decision, with estimates suggesting a cost of $34 billion over the next decade if coverage were expanded.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed skepticism towards the medications, advocating for lifestyle changes instead of reliance on pharmaceuticals for weight management.
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