US President-elect, Donald Trump has chosen Dr Mehmet Oz as the new administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an influential federal agency that oversees health insurance for over 150 million Americans.
In his announcement, Trump emphasised the significance of this role, highlighting that CMS “handles a quarter of our entire National Budget.”
Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and television personality, previously ran for the Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement. Despite his defeat to Democrat John Fetterman, Oz’s ties to Trump remain strong. Trump had earlier appointed him to the Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition in 2018, reappointing him in 2020. Known for his daytime talk show,
The Dr Oz Show, which garnered multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, Oz became one of the most recognized medical professionals in the United States.
His comments during the COVID-19 pandemic sparked debates, particularly his promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment despite limited scientific evidence. This stance drew praise from some Republican circles.
However, Oz’s broader views on healthcare have not always aligned neatly with traditional Republican policies. In a 2009 interview with The Seattle Times, he stated, “It should be mandatory that everybody in America have health care coverage. If you can’t afford it, we have to give it to you.”
Oz will oversee major federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which provide coverage to senior citizens and low-income individuals. He has previously expressed strong support for Medicare Advantage, a program that allows private insurers to deliver Medicare benefits. During his Senate campaign, Oz advocated for expanding this program under a plan called “Medicare Advantage Plus.” This perspective aligns with Republican calls for conservative health reforms but has raised concerns among some policy experts.
Critics remain sceptical of Oz’s appointment. New Jersey Representative Frank Pallone Jr., a Democrat, described the selection as indicative of Trump’s lack of concern for public health, saying, “Given the crucial importance of this agency, I am alarmed that President-elect Trump has chosen a TV celebrity without the experience or background to lead it.” Similarly, Andrea Ducas from the Center for American Progress criticized Oz’s stance on Medicare Advantage, warning that unchecked expansion could limit healthcare options for seniors and jeopardize Medicare’s future. She noted, “Medicare Advantage needs major reform, not unchecked expansion.”
Despite these criticisms, Oz’s nomination has found support among Republicans. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician set to lead the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, expressed optimism about the choice, stating, “This is a great opportunity to help patients and implement conservative health reforms.”
Oz’s career has not been without controversy. His promotion of alternative treatments and weight-loss products on his television show has long drawn criticism from the medical community. In 2015, a group of physicians appealed to Columbia University to sever ties with him, expressing their dismay at his continued association with the institution. During a 2014 congressional hearing, Oz faced pointed criticism from senators over his endorsement of unproven weight-loss products.
Trump’s selection of Oz continues his trend of unconventional appointments, adding to the debate over the direction of U.S. healthcare policy. As CMS administrator, Oz will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, potentially leaving a lasting imprint on the nation’s healthcare system.
(CNN)
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