Medicare Expands Access for Weight Loss Drugs to Some Beneficiaries

Why it matters locally: The expansion of Medicare access for weight loss medications could impact a significant number of Indiana's 6.8 million residents who are Medicare beneficiaries, potentially increasing access to these treatments across the state.

The utilization of GLP-1 medications for weight loss has shown an increase among American adults. A new Gallup poll indicates that 11% of adults currently use one of these drugs. This represents a significant rise from two years prior, when 3% of adults reported using them. Medicare has now made it possible for some patients to obtain these medications. William Brangham discussed these developments with Juliette Cubanski.