Trump picks Dr. Oz to run Medicare, Medicaid office as CMS administrator
Trump administration officials says
President Trump is expected to nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and television personality, to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), according to two administration officials. The position requires Senate confirmation.
Oz, a Republican, is best known for his appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and his own daytime talk show, "The Dr. Oz Show." He has written several books on health and wellness, and he is a frequent guest on other television and radio programs.
If confirmed, Oz would be responsible for overseeing the federal government's largest health insurance programs, which provide coverage to more than 130 million Americans. He would also be responsible for implementing the Trump administration's agenda on health care, including its efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Reaction from health care experts
The nomination of Oz has been met with mixed reactions from health care experts. Some have praised Oz's experience in medicine and his ability to communicate complex medical information to the public. Others have expressed concern about his lack of experience in government and his past statements on certain health issues.
"Dr. Oz is a well-known and respected surgeon and television personality," said Dr. Donald Berwick, a former administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "However, he has no experience in government or health policy, and his views on some health issues are not in line with the mainstream medical community."
Challenges facing CMS
The next CMS administrator will face a number of challenges, including the rising cost of health care, the opioid crisis, and the implementation of the Trump administration's health care agenda.
Oz has said that he is committed to working with Congress to address these challenges. He has also said that he believes that the private sector can play a role in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
