The active ingredient of the brand-name drugs Ozempic and Wegovy is semaglutide, a synthetic form of the hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) that occurs naturally. GLP-1 is essential for controlling hunger and blood sugar. Because Ozempic lowers blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of heart disease, the FDA first approved it in 2020 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
A higher-dose form of semaglutide called Wegovy was later approved in 2021 for the express purpose of managing weight in those who are obese or overweight with associated medical disorders. Both drugs function by imitating GLP-1’s actions, which include lowering hunger, delaying stomach emptying, and enhancing insulin sensitivity. They are useful tools for those dealing with obesity or weight-related health issues because of their effects, which result in significant weight loss and improved metabolic health.
Ozempic and Wegovy hailed as miracle drugs
Celebrities, social media influencers, and extensive media attention have all contributed to the medications’ appeal, which has increased interest among those looking for alternatives to conventional diet and exercise regimens. These drugs give many people hope that they can lose weight more rapidly and successfully, especially those who have battled obesity all of their lives.
Discussions over these drugs’ price, accessibility, and possible long-term effects on health have become more prominent as demand for them rises. Notwithstanding their possible advantages, the popularity of weight-reduction medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy has spurred crucial discussions around expectations for weight loss, body image, and the wider effects of pharmaceutical treatments for obesity.
Biden administration reveals plans to get these drugs cost free
The Biden administration’s new proposed legislation would provide access to these drugs for about 4 million Medicaid clients and 3.4 million Medicare enrollees, according to a White House information sheet. For people without insurance, these drugs can cost up to $1,000 a month. Some Medicare enrollees may see a 95% reduction in out-of-pocket costs.
According to the administration, this plan will let Americans and their physicians decide on the best course of action so they may live healthier lives without worrying about how they will pay for these medications out of pocket, which will ultimately lower the cost of health care in our country. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has stated plans to reinterpret the legislation to include coverage for obesity treatment as a chronic disease, despite the fact that Medicare is legally not allowed to fund weight loss drugs.
About 22% of Medicare members received a diagnosis of obesity in 2022, more than double the rate from the previous decade. In total, obesity affects over 40% of adult Americans. If granted, the extended coverage, which is scheduled to start in 2026, will only apply to people who have been diagnosed with obesity; people who are just overweight will not be covered. Medicaid would also be affected by this redefinition of coverage, which would mean that obesity drugs that are used to help people lose weight over the long term may no longer be denied coverage.
Meena Seshamani, director of the Center for Medicare, estimates that the extension of Medicare coverage will cost $25 billion over the next ten years and will not immediately affect drug plan premiums. According to Dan Tsai, director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, expanding Medicaid coverage is anticipated to cost the federal government $11 billion and the states $3.8 billion during the same time frame.
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