Dr Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has publicly endorsed the use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic as a way to tackle obesity and the chronic illnesses it drives. Speaking to Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in Washington DC on 6 July, he argued that the medications can help overweight people lose weight effectively and could ultimately save taxpayers money by reducing costly chronic conditions. His comments matter because they signal the current administration's support for wider access to these drugs through Medicare.

Oz stressed that GLP-1s are "not a replacement for diet and exercise" but can "jumpstart the system", making healthier habits easier to adopt, particularly for those with joint pain or limited mobility. He noted that around 70% of US healthcare spending is driven by chronic conditions, with obesity the leading factor. He also highlighted the newly launched Medicare GLP-1 Bridge programme, which would let qualifying seniors access the drugs for $50 a month with prior authorisation, and voiced support for extending access to overweight people who lack conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. He cautioned, however, that there is "no silver bullet".