Obesity Crisis Meets Policy Standstill as Trump Halts Medicare Expansion

Medicare’s role in weight-loss drug coverage

Trump Administration Reverses Plans to Expand Medicare Coverage for Obesity Drugs The Trump administration has officially halted a Biden-era initiative that aimed to extend Medicare and Medicaid coverage to include obesity drugs, a move set to impact millions of Americans coping with obesity, disproportionately affecting seniors and lower-income groups. While supporters saw the proposed expansion as a progressive step towards tackling one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges, critics have raised concerns over the potential cost burden. Below, we untangle the implications of this decision, exploring its economic, medical,…

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New Louisiana Law Requires Insurers to Cover Smoking Cessation Treatments

Lousiana Health Insurance News

Louisiana has taken a bold step in promoting public health with a groundbreaking new law. According to this report, the aforementioned law mandates health insurance coverage for six months of smoking cessation treatment. Historically, the state has been lagging behind in terms of providing tobacco cessation treatments and removing barriers to accessing treatments. In its 2023 State of Tobacco Control report, the American Lung Association scored Louisiana an “F” in funding for tobacco prevention and cessation and a “D” in access to cessation services. What this law means for Louisianan…

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