Biden Administration's Proposal to Cover Costly Weight Loss Drugs Under Medicare and Medicaid

The Biden administration has put forward a proposal to allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover costly weight loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, which could dramatically increase access for individuals suffering from obesity[1][2][3]. Currently, these drug therapies are out of reach for many due to Medicare's legal restrictions and limited state Medicaid coverage[1][3]. By redefining obesity as a chronic illness, rather than just a weight management issue, the initiative seeks to provide coverage to approximately 7.4 million Americans[2][3]. However, this proposed policy is projected to add a significant financial burden, costing federal and state governments an estimated $40 billion over a decade[2].