Biden-Harris administration keen on GLP1s

While we certainly would have loved to see this enthusiasm earlier in the administration, we're pleased to see the adoption and forward-thinking nature of the Biden-Harris administration in touting GLP1s:

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Latest Step to Lower Prescription Drug Costs by Proposing Expanded Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications for Americans with Medicare and Medicaid | The White House

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is proposing a new rule to significantly expand coverage of anti-obesity medications for Americans with Medicare

The White HouseThe White House

We love to see moves that increase accessibility and reduce prices for GLP1s, and the White House has certainly drawn important attention to coverage of GLP1s.

If the proposal that they are making goes through, roughly 4 million americans will have access to GLP1s that they did not before, through Medicaid:

Approximately 4 million adult Medicaid enrollees would also gain new access to these medications.
This proposal would allow Americans and their doctors to determine the best path forward so they can lead healthier lives, without worrying about their ability to cover these drugs out-of-pocket, and ultimately reduce health care costs to our nation.

Will this spark a backlash for those on the other side of the aisle?

Partisanship can run deep – often causing a knee-jerk reaction to anything that is done by "the other side" in an attempt to discredit or harm their chances of re-election.

We hope that this won't be the case and the incoming Trump administration will see the value of GLP1s as a tool in the fight against obesity in America.

That said, the jury is still out on whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is due to become the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will actually move the cause forward:

Trump picks RFK Jr. to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a former presidential candidate who has a history of spreading conspiracy theories, including about vaccines — is poised to have a key health role in the Trump administration.

NPRJeongyoon Han

While RFK has many reasonable stances on exercise and the need for America to become healthier, some anti-drug and anti-vaccine rhetoric that is often associated with him can be a cause for concern.

Biden wants to cover weight loss meds. RFK Jr. would rather we just eat better.

The Biden administration proposed expanding coverage of weight loss medication to Medicaid and Medicare recipients. RFK Jr. may not be such a fan.

USA TODAY, USA TODAY

It seems that RFK is more focused on the inclusion and proliferation of unhealthy food and substances than medication that is peer reviewed and long-standing, but only time can tell.

We're hopeful going forward RFK will see GLP1s as a benefit and a tool rather than a substance that should be more strictly regulated.