Dr. Mehmet Oz Faces Scrutiny Ahead of CMS Confirmation Hearing

Trump's nominee for Medicare and Medicaid Services faces questions over tax practices, financial ties, and controversial medical endorsements.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former TV personality and heart surgeon, is set to appear before the Senate Finance Committee for his confirmation hearing as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Democratic senators allege Oz avoided over $440,000 in Medicare and Social Security taxes through an aggressive accounting maneuver, which Oz's team asserts is legal under current tax laws.
Oz's financial ties to healthcare companies, including insurers and supplement firms, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest in his prospective role overseeing Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Critics have highlighted Oz's past support for expanding Medicare Advantage, a privatized alternative to traditional Medicare, which has faced allegations of fraud and denial of necessary care by insurers.
Oz's history of promoting unproven medical products and remedies during his time as a TV host has drawn skepticism about his commitment to evidence-based healthcare policy.