Medicare to Cover Obesity Drugs Under Trump Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced a deal with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce prices and expand access to obesity drugs Zepbound and Wegovy. The agreement includes Medicare coverage starting next year and lower prices for uninsured Americans. The move aligns with Trump’s focus on cost-of-living issues ahead of 2026 elections.
Trump’s Obesity Drug Deal Quick Looks
- Trump reveals pricing deal with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk
- Aims to lower costs of Zepbound and Wegovy treatments
- Medicare to cover obesity drugs for the first time in 2026
- Starting doses of pill versions to cost $149/month
- TrumpRx program to offer direct purchase options for uninsured
- Medicaid coverage to expand under the agreement
- Deal follows May executive order pushing drug price reductions
- Obesity drugs can help patients lose 15–22% of body weight
- High demand and $500/month costs limited access for many
- Doctors and obesity specialists cautiously welcome the move
Deep Look: Trump Administration Targets Obesity Drug Costs With Landmark Pharma Deal
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday a sweeping agreement with pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower prices and expand access to two of the nation’s most in-demand obesity medications — Zepbound and Wegovy — signaling a major move to tackle the rising cost of weight-loss drugs and demonstrate responsiveness to Americans’ economic concerns.
The deal will allow millions of Americans, including those on Medicare, to access the drugs at significantly lower costs starting next year. It also introduces a direct purchase program for uninsured individuals, called TrumpRx, and offers discounted pricing for state and federally funded Medicaid programs. The starting price for new pill versions of the drugs, pending approval, will be $149 per month.
“These drugs are changing lives,” said a senior administration official in a briefing ahead of the announcement. “But too many Americans can’t afford them. This deal changes that.”
Under the agreement, Medicare will begin covering the cost of these drugs in 2026 for patients diagnosed with obesity, with an expected $50 monthly copay. Until now, Medicare has only covered these medications for other conditions like type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease — not specifically for weight loss.
The new deal builds on Trump’s earlier executive action in May 2025 that pressured pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily lower drug costs or face tighter reimbursement limits. Major players like Pfizer and AstraZeneca have already adjusted prices for other prescription drugs, particularly those tied to Medicaid.
Trump’s announcement comes amid increasing public frustration with rising living costs — a top issue in recent elections. Polling from Tuesday’s gubernatorial races showed the economy and cost of living dominated voter concerns, with Republican candidates suffering losses in key states like Virginia and New Jersey.
“We’re showing that we’re listening,” the official said. “This isn’t just about the economy — it’s about giving people access to care they’ve been denied because of cost.”
Obesity Drugs: High Demand, High Cost
Obesity treatments like Wegovy and Zepbound belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by regulating appetite and satiety. Clinical trials have shown that these medications can help patients lose between 15% and 22% of body weight, often resulting in 40–50 pounds lost.
However, the $500+ monthly price tag for higher doses has placed these treatments out of reach for many. Even among those with insurance, high copays and coverage gaps have made access difficult. Coverage through Medicaid is also rare, and private insurers have been hesitant to cover widespread use due to anticipated demand.
“These are lifelong treatments,” explained Dr. Leslie Golden, an obesity medicine specialist in Wisconsin. “My patients are constantly asking, ‘How long can I afford this?’ Many are taking on extra jobs or delaying retirement just to pay for the medication.”
TrumpRx and Expanded Access
The administration’s TrumpRx initiative, launching in January, will allow direct-to-consumer purchases of the drugs at discounted prices. Individuals without coverage will be able to buy the medications directly from manufacturers, eliminating the markup often seen in retail pharmacies.
Lower pricing will also be extended to Medicaid programs, addressing disparities in obesity care among low-income populations. A $149/month introductory price is set for new oral versions of the drugs, pending FDA approval.
Both Lilly and Novo Nordisk had already taken steps to lower entry-level drug prices. Eli Lilly recently announced it would drop the cost of initial Zepbound doses to $349, but Thursday’s deal pushes pricing further down and expands eligibility through government programs.
Dr. Angela Fitch, founder of the weight-loss medical company knownwell, called the deal a potential breakthrough. “We need a hero in obesity care today,” she said. “The GLP-1 community has faced relentless barriers, mostly due to cost.”
Mixed Reactions from Medical Experts
Though the announcement has been largely welcomed, some doctors remain cautious.
“I’d like to see the fine print,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital. “If Medicare really provides full access at an affordable price, this could be transformative. But we’ve seen promises like this before.”
She added that many of her patients had previously been denied coverage even after new guidelines suggested treatment, and she wants to see “something tangible and sustainable.”
Political and Economic Implications
The timing of the announcement is significant. Trump is under pressure to show leadership on cost-of-living issues following Republican losses in states where economic dissatisfaction played a major role in voter decision-making. By taking aim at a high-profile issue like obesity drug pricing — which intersects health care, affordability, and corporate accountability — Trump aims to reassert himself as an advocate for consumer protections.
The White House framed the new deal as a clear departure from the Biden-era approach, which proposed expanded access without sufficient price concessions from drugmakers.
“We’re not handing blank checks to pharma,” a senior Trump official said. “We’re making sure Americans aren’t subsidizing global innovation.”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.