Trump Nominates Dr. Oz to Lead Medicare and Medicaid Agency

The celebrity doctor faces scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest tied to investments in companies regulated by the agency.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former TV personality and heart surgeon, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Oz's financial disclosures reveal significant investments in healthcare, pharmaceutical, and food companies, including UnitedHealth, Amazon, and CVS Health, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
CMS oversees Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace, managing coverage for over 160 million Americans and $1 trillion in annual spending.
Critics question whether Oz will divest his holdings to avoid conflicts, while supporters highlight his potential to reform healthcare policy, including reducing regulatory burdens and expanding Medicare Advantage.
The nomination has drawn mixed reactions, with some expressing skepticism about Oz's expertise in healthcare economics and others, like Sen. John Fetterman, signaling conditional support.