Trump announces plans to lower prices and expand Medicare coverage for top weight-loss drugs
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A major change is coming for millions of Americans who have struggled with the high cost of prescription drugs.
New agreements between the government and leading pharmaceutical companies promise lower prices and broader access to medications that have dominated headlines for their transformative effects.
For older adults in particular, this move could mark a turning point in how life-changing treatments are made available and paid for.
And while the debate over affordability continues, this development is already stirring strong reactions across the country.
President Donald Trump announced a new deal with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce prices for their popular weight-loss medications and extend Medicare coverage to older adults.
Under the agreement, Medicare and Medicaid will cover Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo’s Wegovy, and patients will also be able to buy these medications at discounted rates through a new government website, TrumpRx, launching in 2026.
“For years, politicians have talked about making health care affordable,” Trump said during an Oval Office announcement. “But my administration is actually doing it.”
The lowest price offered will be $149 per month for oral versions of the drugs, including Lilly’s upcoming orforglipron, which is currently under FDA review.
Injectable versions will initially cost an average of $350 per month but are expected to drop closer to $250 within two years.
For Medicare recipients, the drugmakers will sell these medications at an average of $245 per dose, with patients paying a $50 monthly copay.
The administration estimates that Medicare will begin covering these drugs by July 2026, bringing new options to millions who previously paid out-of-pocket.
The announcement also comes at a politically charged time as affordability remains a dominant issue in national elections.
Democrats have made cost of living a central theme, while Trump has used drug pricing reforms to strengthen his own economic message.
Health care costs have long been a point of tension in Congress, especially as lawmakers debate extending pandemic-era subsidies that helped lower insurance premiums. Without those extensions, many consumers will see higher premiums on 2026 Affordable Care Act plans.
Also read: Is America taking too much medicine—and paying the price?
Roughly one in ten Medicare recipients will qualify for weight-loss medications based on their health and BMI, according to senior administration officials.
Those with prediabetes and a BMI of 27 or greater, or individuals with conditions like kidney disease, heart failure, or high blood pressure, will be eligible.
People with severe obesity, defined as a BMI of 35 or more, will also qualify. Officials believe that expanding coverage could improve long-term health outcomes and offset costs to the Medicare program.
Medicaid programs run by individual states will be allowed to decide whether to offer similar coverage for low-income residents.
Some states already cover obesity medications for Medicaid enrollees, though most do not. This new flexibility could encourage more states to adopt the policy, particularly as lower drug prices become available through TrumpRx.
Meanwhile, private insurance coverage for these drugs remains inconsistent, with many employer plans still excluding obesity treatments from coverage.
The weight-loss drugs, known as GLP-1 medications, have been shown to suppress appetite and help patients achieve significant weight reduction.
Currently, pharmacies like Sam’s Club and Costco sell Wegovy and Ozempic for about $499 per month, showing how substantial the announced discounts could be.
Beyond weight management, GLP-1 drugs are also used to manage diabetes and other health conditions, making their affordability a wider public health concern.
Trump’s deals could therefore reshape both the economics and accessibility of these medications nationwide.
Also read: Medicare may soon cover medications for weight loss—here’s what to know about the proposed program
Trump has also made broader moves to pressure pharmaceutical companies to reduce prices, including a “most favored nation” pricing model designed to match costs paid by patients in other countries.
Recent agreements with Pfizer and EMD Serono have already led to price reductions for certain medications.
The new weight-loss drug deal continues that pattern of negotiated discounts aimed at lowering prescription costs through federal partnerships.
Administration officials say more announcements are expected in the coming months as TrumpRx prepares to launch.
Read next:
As the political debate over affordability continues, many are watching to see whether these changes deliver the relief Americans have long been promised. Could this new approach finally make essential treatments affordable for everyone who needs them? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
New agreements between the government and leading pharmaceutical companies promise lower prices and broader access to medications that have dominated headlines for their transformative effects.
For older adults in particular, this move could mark a turning point in how life-changing treatments are made available and paid for.
And while the debate over affordability continues, this development is already stirring strong reactions across the country.
President Donald Trump announced a new deal with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce prices for their popular weight-loss medications and extend Medicare coverage to older adults.
Under the agreement, Medicare and Medicaid will cover Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo’s Wegovy, and patients will also be able to buy these medications at discounted rates through a new government website, TrumpRx, launching in 2026.
“For years, politicians have talked about making health care affordable,” Trump said during an Oval Office announcement. “But my administration is actually doing it.”
The lowest price offered will be $149 per month for oral versions of the drugs, including Lilly’s upcoming orforglipron, which is currently under FDA review.
Injectable versions will initially cost an average of $350 per month but are expected to drop closer to $250 within two years.
Trump announces plans to lower prices and expand Medicare coverage for top weight-loss drugs. Image source: Jane Korsak / Unsplash
For Medicare recipients, the drugmakers will sell these medications at an average of $245 per dose, with patients paying a $50 monthly copay.
The administration estimates that Medicare will begin covering these drugs by July 2026, bringing new options to millions who previously paid out-of-pocket.
The announcement also comes at a politically charged time as affordability remains a dominant issue in national elections.
Democrats have made cost of living a central theme, while Trump has used drug pricing reforms to strengthen his own economic message.
Health care costs have long been a point of tension in Congress, especially as lawmakers debate extending pandemic-era subsidies that helped lower insurance premiums. Without those extensions, many consumers will see higher premiums on 2026 Affordable Care Act plans.
Also read: Is America taking too much medicine—and paying the price?
Roughly one in ten Medicare recipients will qualify for weight-loss medications based on their health and BMI, according to senior administration officials.
Those with prediabetes and a BMI of 27 or greater, or individuals with conditions like kidney disease, heart failure, or high blood pressure, will be eligible.
People with severe obesity, defined as a BMI of 35 or more, will also qualify. Officials believe that expanding coverage could improve long-term health outcomes and offset costs to the Medicare program.
Medicaid programs run by individual states will be allowed to decide whether to offer similar coverage for low-income residents.
Some states already cover obesity medications for Medicaid enrollees, though most do not. This new flexibility could encourage more states to adopt the policy, particularly as lower drug prices become available through TrumpRx.
Meanwhile, private insurance coverage for these drugs remains inconsistent, with many employer plans still excluding obesity treatments from coverage.
The weight-loss drugs, known as GLP-1 medications, have been shown to suppress appetite and help patients achieve significant weight reduction.
Currently, pharmacies like Sam’s Club and Costco sell Wegovy and Ozempic for about $499 per month, showing how substantial the announced discounts could be.
Beyond weight management, GLP-1 drugs are also used to manage diabetes and other health conditions, making their affordability a wider public health concern.
Trump’s deals could therefore reshape both the economics and accessibility of these medications nationwide.
Also read: Medicare may soon cover medications for weight loss—here’s what to know about the proposed program
Trump has also made broader moves to pressure pharmaceutical companies to reduce prices, including a “most favored nation” pricing model designed to match costs paid by patients in other countries.
Recent agreements with Pfizer and EMD Serono have already led to price reductions for certain medications.
The new weight-loss drug deal continues that pattern of negotiated discounts aimed at lowering prescription costs through federal partnerships.
Administration officials say more announcements are expected in the coming months as TrumpRx prepares to launch.
Read next:
- Will SNAP benefits be refilled sooner than expected? What you need to know about the new emergency payments
- Medicare price talks progress quietly as government targets costly prescriptions
