The Health & Fitness Association praised the Trump Administration’s move to expand Medicare coverage for GLP-1s, but urged policymakers to take the next step by funding exercise programs for older adults
The Trump Administration’s decision to expand Medicare coverage for GLP-1 medications is drawing support from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA), which called the policy a milestone in addressing obesity and chronic disease.
But the fitness industry’s top trade group, which has been a staunch supporter of the PHIT Act, says the effort will only reach its full potential if Medicare also covers physical activity programs, recognizing exercise as “essential medicine” in the nation’s aging population.
The White House, which announced the news last Thursday, said the expansion is part of an effort to lower prescription-drug prices through “Most-Favored-Nation” agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Under the deal, Medicare and Medicaid will pay $245 a month for weight loss medications including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, and older Americans who qualify will pay a $50 monthly co-pay. The Trump Administration described the policy as a “historic opportunity” to combat obesity and chronic disease as part of its Make America Healthy Again initiative.
Liz Clark, president and CEO of HFA, said the decision builds on recent progress by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which, starting in 2026, will reimburse physicians for physical activity and nutrition assessments during patient visits.
Notably, it’s a move that the association and its partners at the Physical Activity Alliance helped push forward.
“Together, these efforts signal a meaningful shift toward prevention and lifestyle-based care in our nation’s health system,” Clark said.
Still, she views the policy as progress that could go even further by pairing treatment with movement.
“To fully realize their impact, these advances must go hand in hand,” Clark said. “GLP-1 medications are most effective when paired with structured exercise and behavior change. The next step is clear: Medicare should cover evidence-based physical activity programs and interventions delivered through trusted community partners like fitness centers, studios and wellness facilities.”
Clark added that beyond weight management, regular physical activity (particularly strength and balance training) plays a vital role in preventing falls, the leading cause of injury and loss of independence among older adults.
She noted that expanding access to exercise-based prevention programs could carry both human and economic benefits.
“Expanding access to exercise-based prevention programs would not only improve quality of life but also reduce the substantial medical costs associated with fall-related injuries and hospitalizations,” Clark said.
Clark said connecting medical treatment to physical activity prescriptions and community-based support could help more Americans not only lose weight but also gain strength, mobility and independence, which she points out are “the hallmarks of healthy aging.”
“The Health & Fitness Association stands ready to work with CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and policymakers to ensure exercise is recognized—and reimbursed—as essential medicine,” she said.
The association’s call for exercise coverage comes as Americans are increasingly returning to fitness facilities. According to HFA data, gym visits in the first half of 2025 rose 3.5% year-over-year, with both high-value, low-price gyms and mid-tier clubs leading the growth.
