A significant policy clash over the future of weight-loss drugs is on the horizon as prominent figures in the Trump administration, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, hold opposing views on the issue, BBC reports.
The debate centers around whether to provide expensive GLP-1 medications—proven to aid in weight loss—through government insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
The drugs, known for their effectiveness, come with a hefty price tag, costing about $1,000 per month on average. While they are approved for use in treating conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, they are generally not covered by insurance when prescribed solely for weight loss. The high cost and limited accessibility have become major concerns for doctors and patients alike.
Mollie Cecil, a weight management doctor from West Virginia, has seen the positive effects of these drugs firsthand. After a year on GLP-1 medication, Cecil lost 40 pounds and experienced improvements in her cholesterol and arthritis, enhancing her quality of life. However, after switching to a new insurance plan, she found that the drugs were no longer covered, leading her to taper off the medication and regain much of the weight she had lost.
“The drugs are incredibly effective, but when patients like me can’t access them, it’s frustrating,” Dr. Cecil said. “It feels helpless, especially knowing how much of a difference they make for so many people.”
In response to the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, President Biden proposed that Medicare and Medicaid cover them, but it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will handle this policy if it moves forward.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chosen by Trump to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is an outspoken critic of the weight-loss drugs. Kennedy, who made addressing the obesity epidemic a central part of his platform during his presidential run, has expressed skepticism about the long-term benefits of pharmaceutical solutions. He believes that issues like obesity could be tackled by promoting healthier eating habits, rather than relying on medications. Kennedy has even described the marketing of weight-loss drugs as taking advantage of vulnerable people.
In contrast, Dr. Mehmet Oz, appointed by Trump to oversee Medicare and Medicaid services, has been a vocal advocate for weight-loss medications. The former television personality, who spent years promoting various health products, has openly supported GLP-1 drugs as an essential tool for those struggling with obesity. Oz has emphasized that these medications could be transformative for people trying to meet their health goals, urging easier access for patients who need them.
With both figures in charge of departments responsible for health policy, their differing positions on weight-loss drug coverage could lead to significant policy disagreements.
One of the main challenges in implementing coverage for GLP-1 drugs is their substantial cost. Health policy experts, including Benjamin Rome from Harvard Medical School, warn that providing widespread access to these medications could be financially unsustainable without raising premiums for insurance companies or significantly increasing government spending. The cost of expanding coverage through Medicare and Medicaid could reach billions of dollars, with estimates ranging from $25 billion for Medicare and $11 billion for Medicaid over the next decade.
“We have to ask: How do we pay for that?” said Dr. Mark Fendrick, director of the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design.
Despite the high upfront costs, some believe that covering these drugs could lead to long-term savings by preventing more severe health complications associated with obesity, such as heart disease and diabetes.
The debate over weight-loss drugs is not just a matter of cost but also of public health priorities. With obesity affecting over 100 million Americans, the decision to expand coverage for these drugs could have wide-reaching implications. While the Biden administration’s proposal is on hold, the Trump administration’s approach remains uncertain as Kennedy and Oz continue to clash over the best path forward.
