Biden Proposes $35 Billion Medicare, Medicaid Coverage for Wegovy and Ozempic

Nov 26, 2024, 01:01 PM

The Biden administration has proposed a new rule that would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications, including popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. Recognizing obesity as a disease that can be treated with medication, this move could potentially expand access to these treatments for an estimated 3.4 million Americans on Medicare and 4 million adults on Medicaid, reducing out-of-pocket expenses by up to 95%. Currently, Medicare is prohibited from covering drugs for weight loss. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that expanding Medicare coverage for these medications could cost taxpayers up to $35 billion over the next decade. The rule would need to be finalized by the incoming administration, suggesting that President-elect Trump would need to endorse it.