Month: November 2025

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to ever lead the U.S. House of Representatives, announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress at the end of her current term. Pelosi’s announcement marks the end of a four-decade tenure in Congress, representing San Francisco since her first election in 1987. The 85-year-old Democrat’s term officially concludes on January 3, 2027.

Pelosi said in a nearly six-minute video posted on X: “I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know. I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative.”

In her message, Pelosi reflected on her deep ties to her district and her enduring optimism for its future. “As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power. We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way. And now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy, and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.”

Born Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro in Baltimore in 1940, Pelosi grew up immersed in politics. Her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., served as both a congressman and mayor of Baltimore, while her brother later held the same mayoral office. After moving to California with her husband, Paul Pelosi, whom she met at Georgetown University, she became deeply involved in Democratic organizing, eventually chairing the state party before winning a special congressional election in 1987.

Pelosi became the first woman elected Speaker of the House in 2007,  and the first in 70 years to reclaim the gavel after losing it (returning to the post in 2019). Over 19 years as the Democratic leader, Pelosi guided her party through defining moments, and was known for her ability to unite fractious Democrats and steer landmark legislation through razor-thin margins. Colleagues often cited her unmatched political skill and relentless discipline.

Pelosi’s decision comes just days after the passage of Proposition 50, a California redistricting initiative she championed alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom. The measure, which passed with 63% of the vote, could yield Democrats additional congressional seats in future elections.

Pelosi has also remained an influential figure behind the scenes — advising younger lawmakers, fundraising for Democrats, and helping guide major political decisions. Last year, she played a pivotal role in persuading President Joe Biden to withdraw from his reelection campaign after a damaging debate performance, helping pave the way for Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination.

Democrats across the country praised Pelosi’s service and influence. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called her an “iconic, legendary, transformational figure,” while President Joe Biden hailed her as the “best Speaker of the House in American history,” adding, “when I was President, we worked together to grow our economy, create millions of jobs, and make historic investments in our nation’s future. She has devoted much of her life to this country, and America will always be grateful.”

Former President Barack Obama credited Pelosi for her central role in passing the Affordable Care Act, calling her a “master legislator.” Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added, “There will be so many things to say about the legendary Nancy Pelosi’s transformational tenure in Congress—but for now, let’s start with ‘Thank you, Madam Speaker.’”  California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Pelosi “has inspired generations and set the standard for what public service should be.”

In her farewell message, Pelosi added that “American Democracy is majestic — but it is fragile. Many of us here have witnessed its fragility firsthand — tragically, in this chamber. And so, Democracy must be forever defended from forces that wish it harm.”

Editorial credit: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com

The Trump administration announced Thursday a sweeping agreement with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk aimed at dramatically lowering the cost of popular GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity, diabetes, and other related health conditions. The deal is set to benefit millions of Americans, including Medicare and Medicaid patients, through the upcoming TrumpRx prescription program.

With GLP-1 drugs currently revolutionizing treatment for obesity and metabolic diseases, the Trump administration’s deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk marks one of the most significant public-private healthcare agreements in recent years — one that could reshape how millions of Americans access life-changing medications.

Speaking from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump hailed the announcement as a landmark moment for U.S. healthcare. “This is a triumph for American patients that will save lives and improve the health of millions and millions of Americans,” Trump said, thanking the drugmakers for reaching the agreement after months of negotiations.

Under the new plan, patients who purchase GLP-1 injectables such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro through the TrumpRx platform will pay about $350 per month starting in January, with the price expected to fall to around $250 over the next two years for those paying fully out-of-pocket. For patients covered under Medicare, the monthly co-pay will be $50, with the new pricing expected to take effect by mid-2026. Officials said the TrumpRx platform will allow Americans to buy medications directly from manufacturers, bypassing traditional insurance systems. Daily pill versions of the GLP-1 drugs — pending FDA approval — are projected to start at $149 per month for initial doses.

The Trump administration expects TrumpRx to launch by the end of the year, giving consumers access to lower-cost medications directly from manufacturers. Medicaid participation will depend on state opt-in timelines, but federal officials expect most states to join.

The new pricing model could make the drugs accessible to a broader range of patients, particularly those with severe obesity or obesity-related complications. Currently, most Medicare and Medicaid plans do not cover weight-loss drugs unless linked to other health conditions, leaving many patients paying more than $1,000 a month out-of-pocket.

Under the new structure, lower prices will initially be available to Medicare patients who meet certain medical criteria, including:

• A BMI over 27 with prediabetes, heart attack, or stroke history;
• A BMI over 30 with kidney disease or other chronic conditions;
• A BMI over 35, which classifies as severe obesity.

Administration officials estimate roughly 10% of Medicare patients will qualify at first. The program could save the government an estimated $170 billion over time through reduced obesity-related healthcare costs.

“This is not about losing weight — this is about making America healthy again,” one senior official said. “We’re talking about preventing strokes, kidney disease, and other deadly complications.”

The deal marks another step in the Trump administration’s “most-favored-nations” initiative, which seeks to ensure Americans pay drug prices comparable to those in other developed countries. The agreement follows an executive order signed earlier this year directing federal agencies to pursue such deals to lower medication costs.

Eli Lilly CEO David A. Ricks called the announcement “a pivotal moment in U.S. health care policy and a defining milestone for Lilly,” adding that the company remains committed to expanding obesity treatment access. Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the agreement will “bring semaglutide medicines to more American patients at a lower cost,” noting that the drug’s FDA-approved uses already span obesity, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and cardiovascular risk.  Both companies are preparing to release new GLP-1 pill versions next year, pending regulatory approval.

Negotiations between the Trump administration and the drugmakers reportedly took months to finalize. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed that the discussions were “intense but productive,” emphasizing that the new pricing framework was built to be sustainable for both taxpayers and the private sector. Health experts note that roughly 40% of Americans are considered obese, making access to affordable treatments a major public health priority. The administration has also signaled plans to complement the initiative with efforts to promote healthier diets and increase physical activity in schools and the military. “There is nothing more important we can do than lower this price,” Kennedy said.

Editorial credit: oleschwander / Shutterstock.com