Ozempic for $290, Fixing Employer Healthcare, & The Supreme Court Ro Rule On FDA Vape Regulations

Hey all,

Happy Tuesday! I want to point out a great quote from Matt Ort in his interview with Healthcare Uncovered. “Employers have been tricked, and I believe the BUCAHs [Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Humana] are the biggest root cause of evil.“ Enjoy the rundown!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroCard)

Medicare Coverage and Net Pricing for Anti-Obesity Meds (HHS)

A new HHS report reveals significant disparities in anti-obesity drug pricing: net monthly costs for Ozempic ($290), Wegovy ($649), and Rybelsus ($296) have all dropped since 2023. Ozempic and Wegovy, though identical in active ingredient, display stark pricing differences, highlighting inefficiencies in the U.S. pharmacy market. Wegovy costs twice as much as Ozempic despite being the same molecule, illustrating the complexity and absurdity of pharmaceutical branding and pricing strategies. Full Report.

Matt Ohrt on Fixing U.S. Healthcare Costs (Healthcare Uncovered) 

Matt Ohrt, co-founder of Self Fund Health, transitioned from corporate HR to healthcare reform advocate, targeting waste and inefficiencies in the system. By replacing untrustworthy partners and adopting direct contracting with providers, he saved his company $1 million annually while improving care access. Ohrt champions free-market healthcare practices, transparency in pricing, and direct primary care to counter Big Insurance’s influence and reduce costs for employers and patients. Full Article.

Supreme Court Hears Case on FDA Flavored Vapes Regulation (STAT News)

The Supreme Court is reviewing the FDA’s rejection of flavored vaping products, with manufacturers alleging unfairly shifting standards, while the FDA argues the risks to youth outweigh benefits for adult smokers. Public health experts largely view flavored vapes as harmful, given their role in youth addiction, despite some potential for aiding smoking cessation. A ruling against the FDA could reshape its regulatory approach across industries. Full Article