Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Year : 2, Issue: 13
CNN: Millions more senior citizens and lower-income Americans could obtain coverage for costly anti-obesity drugs under a proposal being unveiled Tuesday by the Biden administration.
Some 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries and about 4 million Medicaid recipients would gain access to these medications, which can cost as much as $1,000 a month for the uninsured, the White House said in a fact sheet. Some Medicare enrollees could see their out-of-pocket costs drop by as much as 95%.
“This proposal would allow Americans and their doctors to determine the best path forward so they can lead healthier lives, without worrying about their ability to cover these drugs out-of-pocket, and ultimately reduce health care costs to our nation,” the administration said.
The White House announcement lacked many details about the proposed rule, including which drugs are included, who would qualify and how much it would cost. It’s also unclear whether the proposal can be finalized before President Joe Biden leaves office in January.
The incoming Trump administration may not view expanding coverage of anti-obesity drugs as favorably. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom President-elect Donald Trump has picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is not a fan. RFK Jr. expressed his disapproval of the medications in a Fox News appearance last month, saying a better and less expensive way to address obesity would be providing good food to Americans.
However, Dr. Mehmet Oz, whom Trump tapped to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has touted anti-obesity drugs on his talk show and on social media.
The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
