New weight‑loss drugs such as Ozempic and tirzepatide have shown promising population‑level effects: use of these medications rose roughly 40‑fold while national obesity prevalence dipped slightly from 41.9% to 40.3%. High monthly list prices (about $997.58 for Ozempic and $1,000–$1,200 for tirzepatide) make them unaffordable for many, especially lower‑income Medicare beneficiaries. The bipartisan Treat And Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 would expand Medicare coverage — including Part D — to improve access, but it still needs full congressional approval and the president’s signature.
Congress Should Expand Medicare Coverage For Obesity Treatments — And Fast
Obesity is one of the rare issues that attracts bipartisan attention in Washington — and the moment calls for action. New medications such as Ozempic and tirzepatide have shown rapid, population-level promise, but steep prices and restrictive coverage keep these treatments out of reach for many Americans who need them most.
Why Access Matters
Over the past five years, use of GLP‑1 and related weight‑loss medications has increased roughly 40‑fold. During that period, the national obesity prevalence edged down slightly from 41.9 percent to 40.3 percent — a change that suggests a potential population benefit from wider medication use. Still, the high list prices remain a major barrier: without insurance, Ozempic’s list price is about $997.58 per month, while tirzepatide runs approximately $1,000–$1,200 per month.
Affordability And Equity
Most patients need three to six months of treatment to see a substantial change in body weight, which means recurring monthly costs can quickly become unaffordable. Lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher obesity rates, yet those same communities are least likely to afford ongoing prescriptions — a clear equity problem.
The Legislative Path: Treat And Reduce Obesity Act
The bipartisan Treat And Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 would expand Medicare coverage for obesity treatment by allowing clinicians beyond primary care physicians — including nurse practitioners and physician associates — to provide reimbursable care. Crucially, the bill would also expand Medicare Part D, the prescription‑drug benefit, to cover FDA‑approved anti‑obesity medications, improving affordability for Medicare beneficiaries.
This focus is important: about half of Medicare beneficiaries report annual incomes below $43,200, making recurring prescriptions difficult to afford without insurance coverage. Extending coverage for adults 65 and older is central to the bill’s potential to improve population health and reduce downstream health-care costs.
Health Benefits And Cost Offsets
Obesity worsens many chronic conditions common in older adults, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Clinically meaningful weight loss can improve metabolic health and reduce complications and long‑term costs associated with these illnesses. Expanding access to effective medications could therefore produce both health gains and potential cost savings over time.
What’s Next
The bill has already been considered by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; it must still pass the full House, then the Senate, and be signed by the president. Progress has been slowed by recent congressional disruptions, but policymakers can act to remove financial barriers and increase access now.
Public‑health professionals, researchers and clinicians continue to support patients and communities in addressing obesity and metabolic dysfunction. When effective options are unaffordable because of systemic inequities, policy change is necessary to ensure treatments reach those who need them most.
Botamina Sorial is a second‑year Master of Public Health student at George Washington University.
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