Trump Administration Rejects Medicare Coverage for Anti-Obesity Drugs
The decision, announced Friday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), affects drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have gained widespread attention for their ability to help patients lose significant weight.
The Trump administration has decided not to extend Medicare coverage to popular anti-obesity medications under the program’s Part D prescription drug benefits. The decision, announced Friday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), affects drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have gained widespread attention for their ability to help patients lose significant weight.
While these medications have been shown to help people lose 10-15% of their body weight, proponents argue that their use could lead to long-term savings by reducing the risk of obesity-related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Despite this, the high cost of the medications has raised concerns about the financial impact on Medicare, which serves seniors and other eligible individuals.
Extending coverage for these drugs could cost taxpayers up to $35 billion over the next decade, according to some estimates. The decision to deny coverage aligns with a broader focus on controlling spending in federal healthcare programs. Critics argue, however, that the lack of coverage may ultimately lead to higher healthcare costs in the future by allowing obesity-related health issues to go untreated.
Although the medications have gained traction in the private insurance market, with many large employers and state Medicaid programs offering coverage, Medicare has been reluctant to take on the added financial burden. The Biden administration had previously proposed extending coverage to include obesity treatments, but the rule was never finalized before Trump returned to office in January.
CMS did not provide an explanation for its decision on Friday, and federal spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Supporters of the medications argue that their benefits extend beyond weight loss, improving cardiovascular health and reducing the need for more expensive treatments later. However, the debate over their cost and effectiveness continues to shape the conversation on healthcare policy.
