Doggett Reacts to Biden Weight Loss Drugs Announcement

Contact: Alexis.Torres@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C. –Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s proposal for Medicare and Medicaid to cover costly weight-loss drugs:

“Big Pharma has been growing fat through price gouging—charging Americans the highest prices in the world. Instead of burdening Medicare with billions in additional costs, President Biden has the authority to reduce drug prices now for weight loss drugs and for drugs developed at taxpayer expense. Since September, his Administration has had a request from members of Congress supporting 20 public health groups’ request to authorize generic competition on weight loss drugs. Since February, he has had our request to strengthen and finalize guidelines that could lead to lower prices on taxpayer-funded drugs—a request we renewed in August and again last week. Without addressing price gouging, today’s announcement only raises false hopes for many who need access to weight loss drugs. Compelling Medicare and Medicaid to offer medications, whose prices they cannot now negotiate, will only bloat spending—costing taxpayers billions, raising premiums, and threatening the long-term security and promise of Medicare.”