Medicare to Cover Weight Loss Drugs, Projecting 125 Million Pounds Lost

Washington, D.C. – A landmark agreement announced by President Donald Trump and his hypothetical Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is set to dramatically alter access to GLP-1 weight-loss medications for millions of Americans. The deal, struck with pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, aims to lower drug costs and expand Medicare coverage for obesity treatment, a move projected to lead to a significant reduction in national weight.

During an Oval Office announcement, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated, "The American public, because of this agreement, will lose 125 million pounds by this time next year — so it is going to have dramatic effects on human health in this country." This projection underscores the administration's ambitious goals for public health improvement through expanded access to these potent medications.

Under the new terms, Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs specifically for obesity for the first time, targeting patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 35. This marks a significant departure from previous Medicare policy, which generally excluded coverage for weight loss drugs unless they treated a different primary condition like diabetes. Medicare beneficiaries are expected to pay a co-pay of $50 for these medications.

The agreement also includes provisions for lower prices, with oral doses of GLP-1 drugs set at $149 per month for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and other doses at $245. A "TrumpRx" website is slated to launch in early 2026, offering direct consumer discounts. The pharmaceutical companies, including makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, have reportedly agreed to "most favored nation" rates, aligning with the administration's efforts to curb drug costs.

This initiative comes amidst growing concerns over the affordability of GLP-1 drugs, which can cost over $1,000 monthly without insurance, and the rising rates of obesity in the United States. The administration presented the deal as a win-win, aiming to improve public health outcomes while addressing voter concerns about high healthcare expenses and potentially averting tariffs on drugmakers.