**Trump Nominates Dr. Mehmet Oz as CMS Administrator, Sparking Mixed Reactions**
President-elect Donald Trump has announced Dr. Mehmet Oz as his choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a pivotal federal agency overseeing health coverage for over 150 million Americans.
"I have known Dr. Oz for many years, and I am confident he will ensure every American receives the best possible healthcare so our country can be great and healthy again!" Trump said in a statement. He also emphasized Oz's role in promoting disease prevention and cutting waste within CMS, which he described as one of the government’s most expensive agencies.
Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and television personality, previously ran for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania with Trump’s endorsement, though he lost to now-Sen. John Fetterman. Trump had earlier appointed Oz to the Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during his first term.
Oz's career includes significant public visibility through "The Dr. Oz Show," which earned multiple Emmy awards. However, his advocacy for controversial treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hydroxychloroquine, has drawn criticism.
This nomination continues Trump's trend of unconventional picks, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. If confirmed, Kennedy would serve as Oz's superior.
Oz's views on healthcare have sparked debate. Before his Senate run, he voiced support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a position later walked back by his campaign. As CMS administrator, he would oversee ACA exchanges, Medicare, and Medicaid, programs critical to millions of Americans. He has also expressed strong support for Medicare Advantage, a growing program under scrutiny for potential overpayments to insurers.
Reactions to Oz’s nomination have been polarized. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, set to chair the Senate Health Committee, praised the decision, calling it a chance to implement conservative health reforms. Conversely, Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. criticized Oz as lacking the expertise needed for the role, labeling the pick a “TV celebrity” nomination.
Advocacy groups expressed alarm over potential policy directions under Oz’s leadership. Andrea Ducas of the Center for American Progress warned that Oz might push for privatizing Medicare through expanded Medicare Advantage programs, a move she described as a "corporate giveaway" that risks Medicare's future.
If confirmed, Oz would be tasked with navigating crucial policy decisions, including addressing Medicaid reform and the potential expiration of enhanced ACA premium subsidies in 2025.
This story includes additional reporting by Oliver Darcy.
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