Dr. Mehmet Oz has been confirmed to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, placing nearly half the U.S. population’s healthcare in the hands of a former TV celebrity.
At a Glance
- Dr. Oz was confirmed 53-45 to head Medicare and Medicaid, overseeing care for nearly half of Americans.
- The GOP is pushing for deep Medicaid cuts to fund Trump’s tax reduction agenda.
- Oz supports Medicare Advantage, which faces scrutiny for alleged insurer overbilling.
- RFK Jr., now Health Secretary, has already slashed Health and Human Services staffing.
- Critics fear partisan motives and celebrity politics are overtaking healthcare policy.
From “miracle cures” to managing trillions
In a move that merges politics with prime time, the Senate has officially confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a $2 trillion federal healthcare apparatus that insures roughly half the country. Oz, best known for his daytime TV promotion of dubious health products, now wields unprecedented influence over two of America’s most critical safety-net programs.
The vote was largely along party lines, with Republicans lining up behind Oz and Democrats expressing alarm. While Oz is a credentialed heart surgeon, his medical credibility has long been questioned due to his history of endorsing controversial wellness trends.
Policy shifts favor privatization
Oz’s appointment arrives as the GOP advances a new round of Medicaid cuts to offset the cost of Trump’s sweeping tax reduction plan. The former president’s tax package aims to deliver benefits to high-income earners and corporations, and Republican lawmakers have pointed to healthcare spending as the primary offset.
Oz, 64, has voiced strong support for Medicare Advantage plans—government-funded private insurance alternatives that cover more than 30 million seniors. These plans, while popular among enrollees, have come under fire for overbilling Medicare by tens of billions annually. During his confirmation hearing, Oz acknowledged those concerns and pledged reform, but critics remain skeptical of his resolve given the industry’s powerful lobby.
Inside HHS, RFK Jr. moves swiftly
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has wasted no time reshaping the Department of Health and Human Services. His tenure, already marked by controversial anti-vaccine rhetoric, has ushered in deep department-wide cuts and layoffs. Critics argue this reflects a broader agenda to undermine public health institutions from within.
Watch coverage of Oz’s confirmation and HHS restructuring.
What happens next?
With Oz now confirmed and the Trump administration’s budget goals clear, attention turns to how Medicaid and Medicare will be administered. Democrats warn that reducing Medicaid coverage could lead to millions losing access to care, while Medicare Advantage reforms may stall under industry pressure.
Healthcare advocates say the stakes are enormous. CMS oversees coverage for over 150 million Americans, from low-income families and seniors to people with disabilities. Any shift in policy—especially budget-driven—could reverberate across hospitals, insurance markets, and households nationwide.
While Dr. Oz’s defenders highlight his medical training and communication skills, critics argue his rise to public office is more about brand recognition than policy acumen. As the country braces for possible cuts, the coming months will test whether he can shed his TV persona and deliver effective leadership in one of the most complex sectors of American governance.
