
Trump Nixes Medicare Coverage for Anti-Obesity Drugs
The Trump administration has decided to abandon a proposal that would have allowed Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity drugs, a move that has sparked significant debate across the political and health sectors. The decision, announced on April 4, 2025, reverses a plan that was initially considered to address the rising obesity rates in the United States.
The proposal, which was under review by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), aimed to include drugs like Wegovy in the coverage list. However, the administration cited budgetary concerns and the potential for increased federal spending as reasons for the withdrawal. Critics argue that this decision could hinder efforts to combat obesity, a major public health issue.
President Biden has criticized the move, stating that it neglects the health needs of millions of Americans. The decision has also drawn ire from health advocacy groups, who see it as a missed opportunity to tackle a growing epidemic. The debate over the coverage of anti-obesity drugs is likely to continue as a contentious issue in the upcoming election cycle.