The Biden administration is expanding coverage of anti-obesity drugs such as Ozempic and Wigovy to people on Medicare and Medicaid through a new proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services, according to White House officials.
The official said Medicare currently covers these drugs only for people diagnosed with diabetes or cardiovascular disease who are obese, or who are overweight, and some states’ Medicaid programs have GLP for obesity. -1 drug is covered, but many are covered, he added. do not have.
They say HHS’ new proposal would require both Medicare and Medicaid to cover the drug to treat obesity.
“Today’s new proposal would expand access to these innovative treatments for obesity, a widely recognized disease, and provide an estimated 3.4 million Americans with Medicare coverage. , the out-of-pocket cost of these prescription drugs would be reduced by up to $95 percent for some enrollees,” the White House said in a statement Tuesday.
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The Biden administration’s new proposal would expand Wegovy coverage to Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. (Steve Crist – Corbis/Corbis, via Getty Images)
“Nearly 4 million adult Medicaid enrollees would also have new access to these drugs. This proposal would give Americans and their doctors more access to these drugs without having to worry about full coverage. “We will be able to decide on the best path forward so that we can live healthier lives and ultimately reduce our nation’s health care costs,” the statement added.
The White House has said that “for too many Americans, these important treatments are too expensive and unaffordable,” adding, “Without insurance coverage, these drugs can cost as much as $1,000 a month.” There is a possibility that it will take a while.”
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are commonly prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes (to stabilize blood sugar levels) or obesity (to aid weight loss).
Diabetics now have access to first generic GLP-1 treatment
Ozempic is an anti-obesity drug developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. (Getty Images)
Dr. Alfred Bonati, founder of the Bonati Spine Institute in Florida, previously told Fox News Digital, “These drugs slow down digestion, so food stays in the stomach longer.”
The White House says that an estimated 42 million Americans are now obese, putting them at “increased risk of all-cause mortality and multiple associated complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and some cancers.” “We are doing so,” he announced.
Three injectable prescription weight loss drugs – Ozempic, Victoza, and Wegovy. (Michael Silk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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“The last few years have seen great scientific advances in obesity treatment with the introduction of new life-saving drugs. These anti-obesity drugs can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. “Reducing the number of heart attacks and other cardiovascular illnesses by up to 20%,” the White House added.
FOX News’ Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.
