President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration faces internal clashes over Medicare and Medicaid coverage for costly anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Mehmet Oz, Trump’s nominee for CMS administrator, supports expanding access to the drugs, citing their health benefits. Oz called the medications “massively beneficial” for weight loss and cardiovascular health. In contrast, HHS secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opposes coverage, advocating dietary changes instead. He labeled the drugs a “scam,” accusing pharmaceutical companies of exploiting Americans.
Adding to the debate, Trump advisor Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of GLP-1 inhibitors, credits Wegovy for his weight loss and urges making the drugs widely affordable.
The administration must decide whether to advance a Biden-era proposal requiring Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications, potentially benefiting millions but costing $35 billion by 2034. The decision, one of the first for Trump’s team, could hinge on cabinet confirmations and congressional sentiment amid a conservative push for spending cuts.
Advocates highlight the drugs’ potential to reduce long-term healthcare costs. Kennedy, despite past criticism, recently acknowledged they “have a place,” signaling room for compromise.
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