President Donald Trump’s Day One executive order rescinding Biden-era Medicare and Medicaid price innovation programs signals sweeping changes to the drug and treatment pricing agency within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and perhaps a substantive shake-up in two of the largest federal social welfare programs.

Senators grilled Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on if and how he would reform Medicaid and Medicare during his first confirmation hearing to become the next secretary of Health and Human Services.

Ozempic and Wegovy, the blockbuster but costly GLP-1 drugs often used for weight loss, are among the 15 medications that will be subject to the next round of Medicare price negotiations, the Biden administration announced Friday.

Because it is still awaiting approval, Medicare does not typically cover the use of ketamine infusion for treating mental health conditions. However, they may cover the FDA-approved nasal spray, Spravato, which contains a derivative of ketamine called esketamine.

If he is confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would take over a sprawling bureaucracy with an annual budget that tops $1.7 trillion, with more than 80,000 employees and 13 divisions.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Social Security, Medicare and food stamps would not be affected by the decision to freeze federal aid. NBC News’ Sahil Kapur reports on the Trump administration’s first White House press briefing and whether Medicaid could be among the programs affected.

Drugs used to treat cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions are among 15 picked for negotiations that could result in lower prices for patients, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Friday.

Ozempic is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat Type 2 ... has proposed a rule to include weight loss drugs under Medicare, though the finalization of that rule will land ...

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans may cover estradiol cream. A person can check with their plan to confirm coverage.

Kennedy seeks to be Secretary of Health and Human Services — a position that would put him in charge of the health of the American people.

RFK Jr has long expressed views that conflict with scientific evidence, especially on vaccines, and his nomination has provoked opposition from public health experts. But he has also adopted positions with popular support, scrutinising the use of food additives and urging that the power of big pharma be curbed.