Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said the Trump administration is considering a framework of GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity.
Recently, the Trump administration announced that it will withdraw the BIDEN administrative proposal to expand the application of anti -invasive drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy for the beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid. Currently, Medicare and most main Medicaid programs include these drugs for individuals with obese or overweight and cardiovascular disease.
The BIDEN administrative plan would have allowed Medicare and Medicaid to cover air -based drugs for obese people without cardiovascular disease.
Previously, Kennedy said he had a great driving force to sell this type of drugs.
In an interview with Greg Gutfeld of Fox News in October 2024, Kennedy said, “They rely on selling them to Americans because we are so stupid and addicted to drugs.
Related Story | Ozempic and Wegovy may be associated with an increase in the risk of blindness, and according to a new study,
Kennedy has been softer since then, but he still doesn’t want to extend the coverage of guarantee to individuals who are obese.
“In the long run, we want to see the drugs that people can use after people attempted other interventions.” He told CBS News this week.
“For example, glucose monitors, which are very effective and $ 80 a month, have been very effective in helping people lose weight and avoid diabetes.” “Especially, health therapy, including exercise, as well as changes in diet.”
Kennedy said that if other interventions are not effective, they will be able to provide this medicine.
Kennedy told CBS News: “This is the framework we are now discussing.
According to the Cleveland Clinic Known as GLP-1 inhibitors, the drug can help to manage blood sugar levels by causing insulin release from the pancreas. This drug also helps to slow down, which allows glucose to enter the bloodstream. In addition, the drug may be full of satiety and can feel full after the meal, Cleveland Clinic said.
The drug was first prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes, but it was popular with the patient’s weight. However, these drugs provide a significant cost of self -pay. According to Good RX The one -month supply cost of Wegovy is $ 1,298.
Due to the popularity and price of the drug, this proposal can put a significant financial burden on taxpayers. The parliamentary budget office estimates that such policies will increase federal spending from 2026 to 2034. Congress budget offices also point out that federal spending may be much higher if the drug increases the life expectancy of Americans who later collect social security and medical care.
