Medicare is barred under a 2003 law from paying for weight-loss medications like Wegovy.
Lawmakers on Thursday reintroduced a bill that would expand Medicare coverage to the drugs.
A major roadblock has long stood in the way of older Americans getting treatments for obesity: Medicare.
But US lawmakers on Thursday took steps to broaden access to weight-loss treatment for seniors.
Medicare coverage might prod other health insurers to pay for weight-loss medications, as private health plans tend to follow Medicare's lead.
Persons:
Democratic Sen, Tom Carper, Carper, Republican Sen, Bill Cassidy, Raul Ruiz, Brad Wenstrup, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, Wegovy, Eli Lilly, clamor, Chris Gallagher
Organizations:
Medicare, Democratic, Republican, California Democrat, Lawmakers, Nordisk's Wegovy, Vanderbilt University, Novo Nordisk, Wall Street Journal, Obesity, Coalition
Locations:
California, Ohio