America’s seniors deserve better. President Trump has promised to Make America Healthy Again—and that starts with fixing outdated Medicare rules that block access to proven treatments for obesity.
Obesity is not a matter of willpower. It’s a chronic disease that affects nearly half of all older Americans, raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and mobility challenges. Yet Medicare still refuses to cover the FDA-approved medications that can help seniors safely manage their weight, improve their health, and reduce long-term costs for taxpayers. That doesn’t keep up with science or President Trump’s vision for a stronger, healthier America.
Why It Matters
Obesity is widespread among older Americans.
Nearly 43% of adults over 60 live with obesity, putting them at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and mobility challenges.
The cost is growing.
Obesity-related conditions are among the leading drivers of Medicare spending. Preventing and managing obesity can help improve health outcomes and reduce downstream costs for both patients and taxpayers.
Modern treatments work.
New medications have been shown to help patients achieve meaningful, sustained weight loss, improving blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar control, and overall quality of life.
A Coverage Gap That Hurts Seniors
Medicare pays to treat diseases caused by obesity—but not the treatments that can prevent them. That gap leaves millions of older Americans without access to care that could change their lives. For patients, that means:
- Higher risk of hospitalization and chronic illness
- Reduced independence and quality of life
- Greater long-term healthcare cost
Closing this gap is common sense: it’s better policy, better medicine, and better for taxpayers.
President Trump’s Opportunity to Lead
President Trump’s commitment to protecting Medicare and improving healthcare for seniors is well known. By modernizing Medicare to include coverage for anti-obesity medications, his Administration can deliver:
- Better Health for Seniors: Access to proven treatments that help them live longer, more active lives.
- Lower Costs for Taxpayers: Prevention and early intervention save billions in long-term spending.
- Stronger American Innovation:Recognizing and supporting medical breakthroughs developed right here in the U.S.
- Americans Want it Covered: New obesity medication polling shows Americans want Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs.
The science exists. The treatments exist. What’s missing is the coverage.
The Path Forward
Experts, physicians, and senior advocates agree: obesity is a chronic disease that deserves real medical treatment. Expanding Medicare coverage for anti-obesity medications will help millions of seniors live longer, healthier lives while strengthening Medicare for future generations. It’s time to align policy with science. America’s seniors have waited long enough.
