Senate approves Dr. Oz as head of Medicare and Medicaid
He will manage the payment structures for physicians within the Medicare program.
TroibNews 
Dr. Mehmet Oz, formerly a heart surgeon and a daytime television personality, has accepted a new role as the head of the United States' largest health insurance programs.
On Thursday, the chamber voted along party lines with a 53 to 45 confirmation for Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Oz has been known for promoting controversial therapies and advocating unproven Covid-19 treatments like hydroxychloroquine. In his new position, he will be responsible for significant decisions that will affect the insurance coverage for over 160 million individuals.
Oz will oversee physician payment structures through Medicare, which frequently sets the standard for commercial insurance practices. Additionally, he will manage more than $1.5 trillion in federal expenditures related to Medicare, Medicaid, and the insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act.
He will face the challenge of navigating intricate regulatory matters with a reduced staff due to a major reorganization initiated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Tuesday, which resulted in 10,000 job losses.
The specific number of affected personnel within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services remains uncertain. Initially, the agency indicated that 300 positions were eliminated; however, the repercussions of the staff cuts are expected to be widespread across various government programs. For example, HHS reduced staff in the Office of Minority Health and shuttered five regional offices that helped states and community organizations address Medicare concerns.
From 2009 until 2022, Oz hosted a successful daytime television program, leaving to run for an open Senate position in Pennsylvania, a race he lost to Senator John Fetterman.
During his television stint, he frequently discussed wellness topics, but faced controversy for endorsing misleading treatments over ten years ago, which led to a heated Senate hearing in 2014 before a subcommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
With his confirmation finalized, Oz will be the key administration representative on significant matters like Medicaid reform. House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee are aiming for $880 billion in savings for a broader spending initiative, and some legislators are targeting Medicaid, citing concerns about its perceived overreach and inefficiencies.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
On Thursday, the chamber voted along party lines with a 53 to 45 confirmation for Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Oz has been known for promoting controversial therapies and advocating unproven Covid-19 treatments like hydroxychloroquine. In his new position, he will be responsible for significant decisions that will affect the insurance coverage for over 160 million individuals.
Oz will oversee physician payment structures through Medicare, which frequently sets the standard for commercial insurance practices. Additionally, he will manage more than $1.5 trillion in federal expenditures related to Medicare, Medicaid, and the insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act.
He will face the challenge of navigating intricate regulatory matters with a reduced staff due to a major reorganization initiated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Tuesday, which resulted in 10,000 job losses.
The specific number of affected personnel within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services remains uncertain. Initially, the agency indicated that 300 positions were eliminated; however, the repercussions of the staff cuts are expected to be widespread across various government programs. For example, HHS reduced staff in the Office of Minority Health and shuttered five regional offices that helped states and community organizations address Medicare concerns.
From 2009 until 2022, Oz hosted a successful daytime television program, leaving to run for an open Senate position in Pennsylvania, a race he lost to Senator John Fetterman.
During his television stint, he frequently discussed wellness topics, but faced controversy for endorsing misleading treatments over ten years ago, which led to a heated Senate hearing in 2014 before a subcommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
With his confirmation finalized, Oz will be the key administration representative on significant matters like Medicaid reform. House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee are aiming for $880 billion in savings for a broader spending initiative, and some legislators are targeting Medicaid, citing concerns about its perceived overreach and inefficiencies.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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