On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz, the television personality, cardiothoracic surgeon, and former Senate candidate, to serve as the next administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“America is facing a healthcare crisis,” Trump said in a statement. “There may be no physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again.” Dr. Oz is known for his daytime television show and advocacy for alternative health treatments.
Dr. Oz has been a long-standing ally of Trump, earning the president’s endorsement during his unsuccessful 2022 Senate campaign in Pennsylvania. In the statement, Trump praised Oz’s medical expertise, noting his academic pedigree, numerous patents, and contributions to medical literature. He also highlighted Oz’s role as a public health advocate through his show and non-profit work with underserved communities.
“Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Country’s budget,” Trump wrote. “Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country. He will also cut waste and fraud within our Country’s most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nation’s Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget.”
Dr. Oz is expected to work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump tapped to lead efforts against what he calls the “illness industrial complex.” The partnership signals a populist push to overhaul the healthcare system by reducing the influence of pharmaceutical companies and emphasizing holistic health. Trump already appointed Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
If confirmed, Dr. Oz will assume leadership of one of the federal government’s largest and most complex agencies. “Dr. Oz will fight to ensure everyone in America receives the best possible healthcare,” Trump wrote. “So our country can be Great and Healthy Again.”
Dr. Oz first became well-known as a celebrity doctor through “The Dr. Oz Show.” Trump appeared on the show in 2016 during his presidential campaign, where he discussed his health and even had Oz review a summary of his medical records.
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Their relationship delved into the political arena in 2022 when Dr. Oz ran for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania as a Republican. Trump endorsed Oz in the crowded Republican primary, calling him “a man who truly loves our Country” and praising his media skills and intelligence. Trump’s endorsement was a key factor in Oz winning the Republican nomination.
During the campaign, Oz leaned heavily on Trump’s support, including appearing with him at rallies. However, Oz’s ties to Trump also became a point of attack from Democrats and even some Republicans who questioned his conservative credentials and outsider status in Pennsylvania. Oz eventually lost the Senate race to Democrat John Fetterman.
Oz’s new role is responsible for managing programs that provide healthcare to millions of Americans, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senate confirmation process is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
