The Trump administration recently nixed a rule proposed by President Biden that would have made it easier for 7.4 million Americans to afford antiobesity medications called GLP-1s. This was a mistake. These drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, can be a game changer. I know firsthand.
In July, I was prescribed a drug called Mounjaro. As a stroke survivor, I was interested in studies showing it could significantly reduce the risk of major cardiac events. Mounjaro is used to treat Type 2 diabetes, and a version recently received Food and Drug Administration approval for weight loss.
Even though I started taking it for my heart health, I’ve been struck by how much better it has made me feel across the board. It’s made a significant impact on my overall health. Aches, pains and stiffness have vanished. Physically, I feel a decade younger, clearer-headed, and more optimistic than I’ve been in years. As far as a side effects, I’ve also lost around 20 pounds.
And it’s not just me — millions of Americans have experienced similar life-changing benefits, regardless of why they started on these medications.
These drugs lower blood sugar, cholesterol, heart rate and heart inflammation. Some recent studies suggest they might even help curb alcohol addiction and support cognitive function, potentially slowing or preventing conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Before I go further, I want to be 100 percent clear: I’m not being compensated for talking about my treatment in any way, whatsoever. Zero. I’m just a guy who has benefited from these medications and wants to make sure that anyone else who could benefit from them can access them, too.
Without insurance coverage, drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are prohibitively expensive — up to $1,000 every month. Currently, Medicare covers these drugs only under specific circumstances, such as for diabetes or heightened heart risk. And Medicaid coverage is even more limited.
In November, President Biden set out to change that with a new rule that would drastically expand access to this type of medication. This rule would have expanded coverage for an estimated 3.4 million Americans who use Medicare and four million more on Medicaid, reducing out-of-pocket costs by as much as 95 percent.
It was a great idea and exactly what our government should be focused on: bringing down costs for the American people.
Even beyond a cost-benefit analysis, this is about improving the quality of life for Americans.
Some people argue we shouldn’t expand coverage because it could increase Medicare spending. It’s true that these drugs are too expensive, but Medicare has the power to negotiate for a better deal. And the reality is that chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease cost the U.S. economy over $1 trillion annually. Investing now means healthier Americans in the future.
Others, like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the health secretary, argue that we should prioritize healthier diets over medication. I fully agree that diet and lifestyle matter — a lot. But diet alone isn’t enough. For the millions of Americans struggling with serious health issues, medication can be a crucial first step to regaining enough control of their health to begin making meaningful lifestyle changes.
Mr. Biden’s proposed rule wasn’t just good policy; it was a necessary response to a national health crisis. Nearly half of all American adults struggle with obesity, a condition linked directly to leading causes of death like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Expanding medication coverage isn’t about vanity; it’s about giving millions of Americans a real shot at healthier lives.
If Mr. Trump and Mr. Kennedy are truly committed to making America healthy again, we need real tools like these.
I’ve always believed that no political party holds a monopoly on good ideas. That’s why I regularly work across the aisle and try to find common ground. It’s why I met with Mr. Trump’s cabinet nominees and voted for some of them. It’s also why I met with Mr. Trump himself.
It should be simple: Our government should be in the business of making lifesaving medication accessible and affordable. Mr. Biden’s now-discarded rule is the type of common-sense solution that politicians in D.C. talk about all the time, but rarely actually make happen.
I ask the Trump administration and Mr. Kennedy to reverse course and put this rule into place.
#Opinion #John #Fetterman #GLP1 #Drugs #Saved #Health #Americans #Access
