Dr. Mehmet Oz, a heart surgeon-turned-TV personality known as Dr. Oz, recently appeared before the Senate Finance Committee in Washington, D.C., seeking confirmation as the new head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In his opening statement at the hearing, Dr. Oz pledged to work diligently to ensure CMS provides excellent care to Americans, particularly the most vulnerable, such as the young, disabled, and elderly.
Traditionally, individuals appointed as CMS administrators have had experience in health policy within state and federal governments. However, Dr. Oz, chosen by President Trump, is a newcomer in this field. His professional background includes working as a heart surgeon at Columbia University and hosting a long-running daytime talk show. He also made an unsuccessful bid for the Senate in 2022.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides health insurance to 160 million Americans via Medicare, Medicaid, and the Obamacare exchanges, managing a $1.5 trillion budget, which is nearly twice that of the Department of Defense.
During the hearing, Democratic senators questioned Dr. Oz about his previous endorsements of unproven treatments for weight loss, such as green coffee beans and raspberry ketones. Additionally, Dr. Oz avoided directly addressing inquiries concerning Republican plans to reduce Medicaid funding. While President Trump has asserted that he will not cut Medicaid, analysts have indicated that the budget resolution endorsed by House Republicans will require significant reductions in Medicaid funding over the next decade.
Dr. Oz has also faced criticism for not disclosing his financial interests in products he has endorsed and for potential conflicts of interest involving private Medicare Advantage plans, which he would be responsible for regulating as head of CMS. He has stated that he would sell his healthcare and pharmaceutical stocks if confirmed.
Throughout the hearing, Dr. Oz utilized well-prepared answers and tailored responses to deflect major confrontations. The session was less contentious than previous hearings, notably the one involving Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Senate Finance Committee has not yet voted on Dr. Oz’s nomination, but he is anticipated to be confirmed by the Senate, which holds a Republican majority. Former CMS head Tom Scully, who served under President George W. Bush, discussed the nomination with the health policy news organization Tradeoffs, highlighting the significant influence the CMS administrator holds.
Scully emphasized the importance of political skills for the role, considering the constant feedback from Congress on healthcare matters. He noted Dr. Oz’s advantage of public recognition and believed his influence would be beneficial for the administration’s public policy debates. Despite concerns about Dr. Oz’s limited experience in Medicaid and Obamacare, Scully expressed confidence in his ability to quickly learn and address critical health policy issues.
Dr. Oz’s connection to Medicare Advantage has drawn criticism; however, Scully believes that Dr. Oz aims to improve and appropriately regulate the program. Adjustments are necessary to address the incentives that have become overly aggressive, potentially leading to issues in the system.
Finally, Scully advised Dr. Oz to build relationships with key lawmakers, such as Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, to ease potential partisan tensions. The full impact of Dr. Oz’s leadership in CMS, especially in a politically charged environment, will depend on his ability to navigate complex healthcare policies and foster bipartisan cooperation.
