Mehmet Oz Confirmed as Head of CMS Amid Medicaid Cut Concerns

On April 3, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency overseeing health coverage for more than 140 million Americans. The confirmation vote was 53-45, largely along party lines.

Dr. Oz, a former heart surgeon and television personality, steps into the role at a pivotal time. CMS manages Medicare, which covers 68 million older and disabled Americans, and Medicaid, which serves approximately 79 million low-income individuals and families. Both programs are under political scrutiny, with proposed cuts to Medicaid drawing significant controversy.

Controversial Confirmation

Oz’s confirmation followed a contentious hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, where he was criticized by Democrats for offering vague answers and avoiding specifics, particularly regarding potential Republican-backed cuts to Medicaid. He declined to say whether he supported those proposed reductions, which aim to offset costs from recent tax reforms.

The confirmation aligns him with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which emphasizes preventive care and cost-cutting across federal health programs.

Past Controversies and Conflicts of Interest

Dr. Oz brings a complicated history to his new role. He has faced criticism for promoting unproven and misleading medical treatments during his TV career. In 2018, he agreed to a $5.25 million settlement over allegations that he exaggerated the benefits of weight-loss supplements. More recently, concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest. These include a health benefits company he co-founded with his son, prior advertising ties to supplement brands, and his role as a broker for a Medicare Advantage provider.

Despite these concerns, Oz has remained largely noncommittal about how he will address them in his new position.

Focus on Medicare Advantage

Dr. Oz has long advocated for Medicare Advantage, a program in which private insurers provide Medicare coverage. He promoted these plans on his show and even acted as a broker for one provider. However, the plans have drawn criticism over allegations that insurers overbilled the federal government by tens of billions of dollars annually. At his confirmation hearing, Oz acknowledged these concerns, suggesting reform was needed and telling senators there was a “new sheriff in town.”

Medicaid Under Threat

One of the most pressing concerns surrounding Oz’s appointment is the future of Medicaid. Republican lawmakers have proposed steep cuts to the program, which could result in millions losing health coverage. Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families, warned against what she called a “sledgehammer” approach to reform. “Mistakes are very consequential for the folks who rely on Medicaid, often for life-and-death services,” she said.

These concerns are amplified by recent staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services, overseen by Secretary Kennedy. In total, around 20,000 positions have been lost through layoffs, buyouts, and early retirements, further complicating the rollout of any new initiatives within CMS, which operates with a $1.5 trillion annual budget.

Looking Ahead

Despite the controversies, some experts see potential for meaningful reform. Anand Parekh, chief medical adviser at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said Oz could use his role to pivot CMS toward a stronger focus on preventive and value-based care. “If CMS wanted to be, they could be the most important prevention agency at HHS,” Parekh said, pointing to opportunities in areas like elder fall prevention and chronic disease management.

Dr. Oz has indicated that his focus will be aligned with Kennedy’s vision of promoting preventive health strategies and reducing government spending. However, his lack of policy specifics and his controversial background leave open questions about how he will lead one of the government’s most critical health agencies at a time of significant transition.