(The Center Square) \u2014 President Joe Biden’s plan to authorize Medicare and Medicaid cover anti-obesity medications starting in 2026 would $140 billion over the next decade.<\/p>\n
That’s according to latest figures from the Penn Wharton Budget Model, a nonpartisan research group that provides cost estimates of public policy proposals.<\/p>\n
Biden’s new proposal would significantly expand access to anti-obesity drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Without insurance coverage, the drugs can cost as much as $1,000 a month.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers previously prohibited Medicare from paying for weight loss drugs unless those drugs are used to treat diabetes or manage heart disease risks.<\/p>\n
Biden’s proposal would expand access to medications for obesity. The White House said it would help an estimated 3.4 million Americans with Medicare and about 4 million adult Medicaid enrollees.<\/p>\n
Coverage would come at a cost, according to the\u00a0Penn Wharton Budget Model.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“PWBM estimates that the proposed rule change would increase Medicare outlays by $55.5 billion over the 10-year budget window and Medicaid outlays by $84.2 over the same period,” the group estimated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The proposal requires a 60-day public comment period before it can go into effect, meaning it would be up to the incoming Trump administration to complete it.<\/p>\n
Medicare provides federal health insurance for people 65 or older, and some people younger than 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for some low-income people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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