Overview

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren has called on Dr. Mehmet Oz to fully divest from financial interests in healthcare and pharmaceutical companies before his confirmation as CMS administrator.
• Oz, known for his celebrity status and financial ties to Medicare Advantage and pharmaceutical firms, faces scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.
• Warren's letter highlights Oz's past endorsements of products and services tied to companies that could benefit from CMS policies under his leadership.
• Medicare Advantage lobbying efforts, costing over $330 million in the past five years, have drawn criticism for overpayments and privatization concerns, which Oz has previously supported.
• The Senate Finance Committee will hold Oz's confirmation hearing Friday, with Democrats expected to question his financial ties and positions on Medicare and Medicaid policy.