US EditionBiden wanted Medicaid to pay for weight-loss drugs. Trump just said it doesn’t have to
- The Trump administration reversed a Biden-era rule in April 2025 that would have required Medicaid to cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs nationwide, allowing states to decide whether to pay for these medications.
- The change follows concerns from state Medicaid directors about the fiscal impact of mandatory coverage amid rising demand and high costs of GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy, which can exceed $1,000 per month.
- In April 2025, Aon plc published a study utilizing extensive medical and prescription records covering more than 50 million individuals with commercial insurance. The findings demonstrated that a comprehensive obesity management approach incorporating GLP-1 medications and supportive programs can slow medical cost growth and significantly lower the incidence of major cardiovascular events over a two-year period.
- Aon's analysis observed a 44% decrease in hospitalizations from major adverse cardiovascular events and up to 13% savings for adherent GLP-1 users, highlighting potential cost reduction despite initial treatment expenses.
- This development suggests that while upfront costs pose challenges, state Medicaid programs retaining coverage choice could balance fiscal concerns with long-term health and economic benefits from GLP-1 medications.
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Biden wanted Medicaid to pay for weight-loss drugs. Trump just said it doesn’t have to
By Shalina Chatlani, Stateline.org The Trump administration this month scrapped a Biden-era proposal that would have required state Medicaid programs and allowed federal Medicare to pay for some GLP-1s for obesity treatment. Instead, state Medicaid programs will retain the choice of whether to cover the high-priced medications for their residents. Related Articles Snakes have bitten this man hundreds of times. His blood could help …
Biden wanted Medicaid to pay for weight-loss drugs. Trump turned it back into an option. • SC Daily Gazette
In this photo illustration, the injectable weight-loss medication Wegovy is available at a Chicago pharmacy last year. The Biden administration proposed a rule that would have required state Medicaid programs to cover GLP-1s for obesity treatment, but the Trump administration said it will leave the option up to the states. (Photo illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)The Trump administration this month scrapped a Biden-era proposal that would…
Many Medicaid enrollees have restricted access to SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists
Many Medicaid enrollees with type 2 diabetes have restricted access to cardioprotective medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), according to a study published online April 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Aon Unveils First Workforce-Focused Analysis on GLP-1s: Medications and Holistic Support Can Transform Workforce Health and Bend the Cost Curve
Firm also sets new standard in employee health by combining GLP-1 medications and holistic support to drive adherence and sustainable outcomes for Aon's U.S. colleagues in collaboration with eMed
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