ACP supports legislation allowing Medicare prescription drug benefits to cover medications used to treat obesity and weight loss management
Jan. 24, 2025 (ACP) -- As evidence grows in support of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), as treatments for obesity and diabetes, the American College of Physicians is taking a stand for patients who can benefit from these medications.
“Through advocacy, we hope to expand access to these medications as well as any other evidence-based treatments for individuals with obesity,” said Shari Erickson, ACP chief advocacy officer and senior vice president of governmental affairs and public policy.
A new systematic review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual or triple co-agonists “are efficacious for weight loss.” Randomized controlled trials have shown that the drugs produce long-term weight loss of 5.8 percent to 22.1 percent versus placebo. Although gastrointestinal side effects were common, patients rarely discontinued treatment due to these adverse events.
However, insurers do not consistently cover the highly expensive drugs in patients with obesity. In response, ACP is lobbying for government action to support and expand access.
On one front, ACP supports former President Biden's proposed rule to require Medicare and Medicaid to cover GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity, not just diabetes. It will be up to President Trump's administration to decide whether to pursue the regulation, and ACP will submit comments shortly.
“ACP supports coverage of medications that are U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved for obesity and for treatment of diabetes,” Erickson said. “Our hope is that the Trump administration will finalize the regulation.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health & Human Services, has been skeptical of Ozempic, as The New York Times reported. “If we just gave good food, three meals a day, to every man, woman and child in our country, we could solve the obesity and diabetes epidemic overnight,” he said on Fox News.
However, Erickson pointed out that Kennedy is also “a big fan of chronic disease treatment,” and “there's a strong case to be made for these medications helping with that.”
As she noted, ACP advocacy on this issue aligns with its Advancing Equitable Obesity Care Initiative. “We offer an Obesity Management Learning Hub that includes modules and patient education materials and summarizes research from the Annals of Internal Medicine. This is another resource that helps our members stay up-to-date on the latest research and public policy,” she said.
ACP is also a supporter of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which is expected to be reintroduced in Congress. It was first introduced in 2023 and allows the Medicare prescription drug benefit to cover medications used for the treatment of obesity and weight loss management in patients with overweight.
The bill had 120 cosponsors in the House from both political parties but failed to move ahead. “Even if the Trump administration were to move in the direction of not finalizing the proposed regulation, this would be a way to ensure that coverage would take place,” Erickson said.
ACP is hopeful that a reintroduced bill will pass but understands that Congress has a long priority list, Erickson noted.
Back to the January 24, 2025 issue of ACP Advocate