Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick and Frankel Urge Protection of Medicare and Medicaid Access to Anti-Obesity Medications

WASHINGTON, D.C. ─ Today, Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and 10 House Democrats sent a letter to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz urging him to preserve access to affordable anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.  
 
In November 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration proposed a rule that would have expanded coverage for AOMs for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries living with obesity. Under current law, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover AOMs for weight loss management. This rule would have lowered the cost of AOMs by as much as 95% for 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries and 4 million Medicaid beneficiaries. In April 2025, CMS rescinded the proposed rule, jeopardizing access to these critical medications. 
 
Without intervention, the U.S. is currently projected to spend upwards of $4.1 trillion on obesity-related healthcare costs, thereby placing enormous strain on the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Fortunately, it is clinically proven that AOMs both lead to significant long-term weight loss for individuals living with obesity and reduce the prevalence of costly chronic conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. 
 
“As you may know, obesity impacts 95 million Americans and is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the U.S, contributing to 300,000 deaths annually,” the lawmakers wrote. “Given this administration’s firm commitment to reduce the rate of chronic disease and ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ we urge you to immediately finalize the “Part D Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications and Application to the Medicaid Program” proposed rule.” 
 
The full text of the letter can be found here.