Health & Veritas Vin Gupta: Impact at Scale
Nov 27, 2024
Vin Gupta, a physician and chief medical officer at Amazon Pharmacy, shares insights on the Biden administration's proposal to cover obesity drugs under Medicare. He highlights the potential benefits and challenges of this initiative, including its impact on health equity. Gupta also discusses Amazon Pharmacy’s innovative RxPass subscription service designed to improve medication access. His reflections on military service and the role of AI in healthcare add depth, revealing how technology can enhance patient care and medication management.
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Medicare May Cover Obesity Drugs
- The Biden proposal would reclassify obesity as a chronic disease and allow Medicare and Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 drugs starting in 2026.
- This could transform access for millions but raises cost, long-term safety, and price-negotiation questions.
High Price Limits Access
- GLP-1 drugs cost about $1,000 per month without insurance and thus are unaffordable for many despite large benefits.
- Expanding coverage could be life-changing but will increase federal spending unless prices fall or offsets appear.
Coverage Has Equity And Budget Tradeoffs
- Coverage could advance equity because obesity disproportionately affects Black and Brown Americans who often lack discretionary funds.
- Projected costs are large: roughly $25 billion for Medicare and $11 billion for Medicaid over 10 years.