Trump Chooses Dr. Oz to Lead Medicare, Medicaid
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency overseeing healthcare programs for over 140 million Americans. Dr. Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and former television host, previously ran for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022 with Trump's endorsement.
In his new role, Dr. Oz is expected to collaborate closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. The administration aims to reform the healthcare system by addressing chronic diseases and reducing waste and fraud within CMS, which manages a budget of $2.6 trillion.
Dr. Oz's appointment has sparked debate due to his promotion of unproven treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as hydroxychloroquine. His dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship and past political endeavors have also been points of contention.
The nominations of Dr. Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. require Senate confirmation. Their potential appointments could significantly influence the direction of U.S. healthcare policy in the coming years.
