Trump Admin Plans Obesity Drug Coverage Pilot

The Trump administration is planning a five-year pilot program, run by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, to let state Medicaid programs and Medicare Part D plans voluntarily cover expensive GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for weight management, starting in April 2026 for Medicaid and January 2027 for Medicare. This reverses an earlier April decision not to cover these medications solely for weight loss, despite a Biden-era proposal for expanded coverage. The initiative comes as obesity rates surpass 42% among American adults, highlighting interest in pharmaceutical interventions. Estimated costs for Medicare could reach $35 billion from 2026 to 2034, raising concerns over long-term affordability and emphasizing the need to pair drug coverage with lifestyle coaching. Medicaid coverage for these drugs currently varies by state, with 13 states already providing some access for weight loss. The pilot proposal is not yet final and may be subject to a public comment period before implementation.