President wants to expand coverage of health programs to medicines used to combat obesity
US President Joe Biden (Democratic Party) proposed on Tuesday (26.Nov.2024) “significantly expand” coverage of anti-obesity drugs in the nation’s public health insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid. Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are used for this purpose.
Biden leaves the White House on January 20, 2025, the date of Donald Trump’s inauguration (Republican Party). In the new administration, health with Robert Kennedy Jr., who is known for being anti-vaccine and for criticizing large pharmaceutical companies. He already drugs like Ozempic, saying obesity could be solved “from night to day” com “good food”.
In a statement, the White House said that “tens of millions” of Americans struggle with obesity.
“An estimated 42% of the U.S. population has obesity, which is now widely recognized as a chronic disease with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and multiple related comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, some cancers, and much more”, says the country’s government.
According to the White House, Medicare and Medicaid cover the use of these drugs for certain conditions, such as diabetes. The new proposal “would expand access to these innovative obesity medicines”, but no note.
“For many Americans, these critical treatments are too expensive and therefore out of reach. Without insurance coverage, these medications can cost someone up to $1,000 a month”, says the text.
According to the government, the measure would benefit 3.4 million Americans with Medicare. The program provides health insurance to seniors who meet certain income criteria. “Medicare coverage would reduce out-of-pocket costs for these prescription drugs by up to 95% for some enrollees.”declared the White House.
The new rules would also help 4 million people who can apply for Medicaid, a program for low-income people.
