Biden Proposes Coverage for Costly Anti-Obesity Drugs

The Biden administration has proposed a rule to extend Medicare and Medicaid coverage to include costly anti-obesity medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic, currently priced at over $1,000 monthly. This plan aims to expand access to these drugs for approximately 3.4 million Medicare and 4 million Medicaid beneficiaries, potentially reducing out-of-pocket expenses by up to 95% for some enrollees. The initiative addresses the rising obesity rates, which affect over 40% of Americans, and seeks to alleviate health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease and diabetes. The proposal could challenge disparities in drug access, particularly as most prescriptions for these drugs have been dispensed predominantly to white individuals. However, it remains unclear whether the proposal will be finalized before President Biden leaves office in January. The measure has been lauded as a significant step in public health by health experts and officials, including HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, who emphasized its potential to improve national health and economic outcomes.