President Trump has reached an agreement with the makers of Zetbound and Wegovy, two of the most widely used GLP-1 weight loss drugs, to make them available to Medicare recipients for just 50 dollars a month starting next month.
Under the deal, Medicare will cover 245 dollars of the monthly cost, with patients paying only 50 dollars out of pocket. Officials say they have been working hard to push down prices and ensure these medications, which can be life-changing, are accessible to those who need them.
Not all Medicare recipients will qualify for the reduced price. To be eligible, patients must be overweight and have at least one of the following conditions: pre-diabetes, a history of stroke or cardiovascular disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
The qualifying conditions cover roughly ten percent of Medicare recipients across the country. Health officials emphasise that these medications have a significant impact not only on weight loss but also on downstream complications such as diabetes and hypertension.
The agreement represents a major shift in how the federal government approaches the cost of weight loss medications, which have been largely inaccessible to many Americans due to their high price tags, often exceeding one thousand dollars per month without insurance coverage.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like Zetbound and Wegovy have become some of the most sought-after medications in the United States, with demand consistently outpacing supply. The drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels.
The new pricing arrangement is expected to significantly increase access to these treatments for older Americans struggling with obesity and related health conditions. Critics, however, question whether taxpayer-funded Medicare should cover what some consider lifestyle medications.