In an aggressive bid to deal with America‘s rising epidemic of obesity, President Joe Biden proposed widening access to the weight loss drugs known as Ozempic and Wegovy via public health insurance programs Medicare and Medicaid.
The new proposal, which was announced on Tuesday, would make these life-changing medications available to millions of Americans who suffer from obesity, especially those from older and lower-income populations. However, the proposal faces strong opposition from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is poised to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as the incoming Trump administration takes office.
Under the current system, weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are primarily covered by Medicare and Medicaid for patients suffering from diabetes or heart disease. The Biden administration wants to widen this coverage to include individuals diagnosed with obesity, which affects 42% of Americans. The White House estimates the new policy could benefit approximately 7.5 million Americans, including 3.4 million older Americans on Medicare and 4 million lower-income individuals on Medicaid.
A White House official explained that the goal is to make these medications more accessible by addressing their high cost, which is currently prohibitive for many people struggling with obesity. The move is being pitched as a potential game-changer in improving public health by providing essential treatments to those who need them most.
Despite Biden’s push, the proposal is likely to face significant opposition from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously criticized the widespread use of weight loss drugs. Kennedy, who will soon head HHS under Donald Trump’s administration, has argued against expanding access to these medications. In an October statement, Kennedy called the push for greater access to obesity drugs “misguided” and suggested that the funds could be better spent on improving nutrition and food security in the U.S.
Kennedy’s comments reflect his broader views on addressing the obesity epidemic through lifestyle changes, rather than relying on pharmaceutical solutions. He criticized the manufacturers of Ozempic and Wegovy, accusing them of exploiting Americans by marketing drugs as a quick fix to weight-related issues.
The proposal to expand access to weight loss drugs comes at a time of growing political tension around the future of U.S. health care policies. President Biden has made lowering prescription drug prices a key part of his agenda, but Trump’s incoming administration, led by figures like Kennedy and newly appointed Medicare and Medicaid chief Dr. Mehmet Oz, is likely to pursue a more cost-cutting approach. Trump has already signaled his intention to slash government spending, and any major increase in public health insurance spending to fund the expanded access to weight loss drugs could clash with this goal.
Trump’s recent appointments, including Oz and prominent figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, are part of a broader effort to reduce government spending on what they deem wasteful programs. As a result, it remains unclear whether Biden’s proposal will gain any traction if the political tide shifts further toward the Republican agenda.
Biden’s plan reflects his broader commitment to making prescription medications more affordable and accessible for American citizens. As he navigates his final year in office, this push to expand access to weight loss drugs is just one example of his efforts to address the nation’s health care challenges. However, the political opposition from Trump’s incoming administration, with its focus on fiscal restraint and skepticism toward pharmaceutical interventions, may present a significant roadblock to any meaningful policy change.
As the battle over health care policy continues, it’s clear that the debate over how best to tackle America’s obesity crisis remains a complex and divisive issue. Whether Biden’s plan to expand access to weight loss drugs will survive the political turmoil ahead is still uncertain, but it is sure to remain a key topic of discussion in the coming months.
