Key Takeaways
- Today's poll asks if Congress should mandate Medicaid coverage for weight-loss drugs like GLP-1s.
- A poll on the 2028 presidential race showed strong preference for Gavin Newsom over Kamala Harris.
- The New York City mayoral race drew significant media attention, particularly from the New York Post.
- Obesity affects over 40% of adult Americans, prompting debate over Medicaid's role in GLP-1 access.
- Arguments for mandated Medicaid coverage for GLP-1s cite long-term healthcare savings and equity.
Deep Dive
- The host introduced the daily poll question: 'Should Congress mandate Medicaid to cover weight-loss medications like GLP-1s?'
- Yesterday's poll of 39,406 votes showed 95.68% favored Gavin Newsom and 4.32% favored Kamala Harris for the 2028 presidency.
- Both Newsom and Harris have indicated interest in a 2028 presidential run in recent statements.
- Former President Obama was reportedly displeased with Speaker Pelosi's quick endorsement of Kamala Harris, preferring a competitive primary.
- The host questioned if candidates like Josh Shapiro or Gavin Newsom would have competed against Harris without an early endorsement from President Biden.
- The New York Post dedicated front-page coverage to stopping candidate Zoran Mamdani, framing the election as a 'socialist takeover' threat.
- The Post questioned Mamdani's claim about an aunt fearing a hijab post-9/11, reporting the individual was his father's cousin.
- Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton argued a strong police force would be insufficient under a 'pro-criminal' administration.
- The New York Post editorial suggested Andrew Cuomo as the only viable candidate to defeat Mamdani, calling him an 'existential threat'.
- Approximately 100 million adult Americans, over 40% of the population, are classified as obese.
- Economist Emily Oster argues GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, should be widely available due to their life-saving potential and cost-effectiveness.
- An estimated 14 million obese individuals among 37 million adult Medicaid beneficiaries lack access to GLP-1 medications.
- Annual coverage for all eligible Medicaid beneficiaries for GLP-1s is estimated at $143 billion.
- Arguments against mandated Medicaid coverage center on high potential costs, while proponents cite long-term healthcare savings.
- Calculations suggest GLP-1 prices could decline to as low as $235 per month, potentially justifying broader access.
- The host advocated for mandating Medicaid coverage, viewing obesity as a chronic disease and an equity issue.
- Listeners are encouraged to vote on the poll at smerconish.com regarding mandated Medicaid coverage for weight-loss drugs.