Senate moderates giving Dr. Oz high praise — possibly including Fetterman
As the CMS administrator, Oz would have significant authority regarding health coverage for over 160 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and various other health programs.
TroibNews 
President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Mehmet Oz, appears to be receiving more enthusiasm from Senate Republicans than Trump’s selection for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Some GOP senators have not publicly supported Kennedy’s nomination.
Conversely, Senate Republicans from various ideological backgrounds, as well as Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat who defeated Oz in a contentious Pennsylvania Senate race in 2022, are expressing potential support for the television celebrity doctor. This is promising for his confirmation, as Senate Republicans can approve Oz without needing Democratic votes, although Democratic backing would provide him with a solid margin.
In announcing Oz's nomination, Trump stated Oz would “work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.” However, critics of Oz point to his endorsement of unproven treatments for Covid-19, such as hydroxychloroquine, and his limited experience in federal government roles.
If confirmed as CMS administrator, Oz would have significant authority over health coverage affecting over 160 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and other health programs. In 2013, Oz proposed that uninsured individuals receive 15-minute checkups funded by local hospitals in a “festival-like setting," asserting that they “don’t have a right to health” but deserve access.
Additionally, Oz is a strong proponent of Medicare Advantage, a Medicare-sanctioned private option that has become increasingly popular but faces criticism over care denials and alleged overbilling. In August, he shared a YouTube video with nearly 2 million subscribers discussing the “benefits of enrolling” in this program.
Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate, remarked to PMG that Oz is “well respected” as a physician. She noted, “It may well be helpful to have someone who has been a health care provider running that agency because they would have a whole different perspective.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy, set to become the chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, described Oz’s nomination as a “great opportunity to help patients and implement conservative health reforms.” He added, “He is a practicing physician... Dr. Oz is a pretty bright guy."
Sen. Thom Tillis shared that he views Oz as “obviously a competent doctor” and stated that he will evaluate Oz’s qualifications “like everybody else.” Similarly, Sen. John Cornyn expressed his support by saying he likes Dr. Oz and considers him “quite an accomplished businessman.” When asked if that was sufficient for leading CMS, Cornyn affirmed that it is.
Oz is also picking up endorsements from key figures within the conservative health community. Mark McClellan, who previously led CMS under President George W. Bush, noted that Oz “has shown he can inspire Americans to stay as healthy as possible.” He added, “He can help inspire CMS to build on its important steps in this direction, through coverage and payment reforms that pay for innovative care that works, not just more medical services.”
Even Fetterman, who had previously portrayed Oz as an out-of-touch outsider during their campaign, has indicated openness regarding Oz’s nomination. He mentioned, “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” although he did not elaborate on what that would specifically entail when questioned by PMG.
The extent of Democratic support for Oz remains uncertain. Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden expressed skepticism, stating, “Dr. Oz is no stranger to peddling nonsense to innocent Americans without facing consequences.” Wyden will assume the ranking member position in the next Congress once Republicans take the majority, adding, “Americans deserve a leader at CMS who will stand up to Big Pharma and insurance fraudsters who are misleading seniors and denying them essential health care, and I’m not sure a talk show host is up for the fight.”
Wyden did not clarify what he meant by “nonsense.” Sen. Peter Welch criticized Oz as “a great TV doctor with quack weight-loss recommendations,” suggesting that there is still a long way to go before he can support Oz.
Oz has previously promoted “raspberry ketones” and green coffee bean extract for weight loss, despite a lack of substantial evidence supporting such claims. The Federal Trade Commission had even restricted a company featured on Oz's show from making misleading assertions about the effectiveness of green coffee bean extract.
Robert King and David Lim contributed to this report.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Conversely, Senate Republicans from various ideological backgrounds, as well as Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat who defeated Oz in a contentious Pennsylvania Senate race in 2022, are expressing potential support for the television celebrity doctor. This is promising for his confirmation, as Senate Republicans can approve Oz without needing Democratic votes, although Democratic backing would provide him with a solid margin.
In announcing Oz's nomination, Trump stated Oz would “work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.” However, critics of Oz point to his endorsement of unproven treatments for Covid-19, such as hydroxychloroquine, and his limited experience in federal government roles.
If confirmed as CMS administrator, Oz would have significant authority over health coverage affecting over 160 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and other health programs. In 2013, Oz proposed that uninsured individuals receive 15-minute checkups funded by local hospitals in a “festival-like setting," asserting that they “don’t have a right to health” but deserve access.
Additionally, Oz is a strong proponent of Medicare Advantage, a Medicare-sanctioned private option that has become increasingly popular but faces criticism over care denials and alleged overbilling. In August, he shared a YouTube video with nearly 2 million subscribers discussing the “benefits of enrolling” in this program.
Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate, remarked to PMG that Oz is “well respected” as a physician. She noted, “It may well be helpful to have someone who has been a health care provider running that agency because they would have a whole different perspective.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy, set to become the chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, described Oz’s nomination as a “great opportunity to help patients and implement conservative health reforms.” He added, “He is a practicing physician... Dr. Oz is a pretty bright guy."
Sen. Thom Tillis shared that he views Oz as “obviously a competent doctor” and stated that he will evaluate Oz’s qualifications “like everybody else.” Similarly, Sen. John Cornyn expressed his support by saying he likes Dr. Oz and considers him “quite an accomplished businessman.” When asked if that was sufficient for leading CMS, Cornyn affirmed that it is.
Oz is also picking up endorsements from key figures within the conservative health community. Mark McClellan, who previously led CMS under President George W. Bush, noted that Oz “has shown he can inspire Americans to stay as healthy as possible.” He added, “He can help inspire CMS to build on its important steps in this direction, through coverage and payment reforms that pay for innovative care that works, not just more medical services.”
Even Fetterman, who had previously portrayed Oz as an out-of-touch outsider during their campaign, has indicated openness regarding Oz’s nomination. He mentioned, “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” although he did not elaborate on what that would specifically entail when questioned by PMG.
The extent of Democratic support for Oz remains uncertain. Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden expressed skepticism, stating, “Dr. Oz is no stranger to peddling nonsense to innocent Americans without facing consequences.” Wyden will assume the ranking member position in the next Congress once Republicans take the majority, adding, “Americans deserve a leader at CMS who will stand up to Big Pharma and insurance fraudsters who are misleading seniors and denying them essential health care, and I’m not sure a talk show host is up for the fight.”
Wyden did not clarify what he meant by “nonsense.” Sen. Peter Welch criticized Oz as “a great TV doctor with quack weight-loss recommendations,” suggesting that there is still a long way to go before he can support Oz.
Oz has previously promoted “raspberry ketones” and green coffee bean extract for weight loss, despite a lack of substantial evidence supporting such claims. The Federal Trade Commission had even restricted a company featured on Oz's show from making misleading assertions about the effectiveness of green coffee bean extract.
Robert King and David Lim contributed to this report.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
