News Brief
Summary
President Donald Trump has secured landmark agreements with pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, significantly expanding access to their expensive GLP-1 obesity drugs. Key changes include Medicare starting to cover these drugs for certain patients in 2026, discounted prices for Medicaid programs, and lower-cost options available directly to consumers via TrumpRx.gov.
Key Points
- Medicare Coverage: For the first time, Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs for obesity for specific beneficiaries starting mid-2026, potentially opening access for millions of older adults.
- Price Reductions: Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk agreed to lower the price for Medicare and Medicaid to $245 per month. Medicaid coverage depends on individual states opting in.
- Direct-to-Consumer Discounts: The Trump administration’s website, TrumpRx.gov, will offer these drugs at significant discounts, with monthly costs starting as low as $50 for some patients, depending on insurance.
- Eligibility Criteria: Medicare coverage for obesity drugs will be limited to patients meeting specific BMI and health condition thresholds (e.g., BMI ≥27 with prediabetes).
- Broader Impact: This government move is expected to pressure private insurers and employers to follow suit and expand their coverage of obesity treatments.
- Pilot Programs: An initial voluntary Medicare pilot starts in Spring 2026, transitioning to a mandatory program for all Part D plans in 2027.
新闻简报
总结
唐纳德·特朗普总统与制药公司礼来和诺和诺德达成了具有里程碑意义的协议，显著扩大了其昂贵的GLP-1肥胖症药物的可及性。主要变化包括：医疗保险将从2026年开始为特定患者承保这些药物；为医疗补助计划提供折扣价格；以及通过TrumpRx.gov网站直接向消费者提供低成本选项。
关键点
- 医疗保险覆盖：医疗保险将首次从2026年中期开始为特定的受益人承保用于治疗肥胖的GLP-1药物，这可能为数百万老年人打开获取渠道。
- 价格降低：礼来和诺和诺德同意将 Medicare 和 Medicaid 的支付价格降至每月245美元。医疗补助计划的覆盖取决于各州是否选择加入。
- 直接面向消费者的折扣：特朗普政府的网站 TrumpRx.gov 将以大幅折扣提供这些药物，根据保险情况，部分患者的月费用最低可至50美元。
- 资格标准：医疗保险对肥胖药物的覆盖将限于达到特定BMI和健康状况阈值（例如，BMI≥27且患有糖尿病前期）的患者。
- 更广泛的影响：预计政府的这一举措将给私营保险公司和雇主带来压力，促使他们效仿并扩大对肥胖治疗的覆盖。
- 试点项目：一项初步的自愿性医疗保险试点计划将于2026年春季启动，并于2027年过渡为所有D部分计划的强制性项目。
Original Article Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/trump-deals-with-lilly-novo-nordisk-could-broaden-obesity-drug-access.html