In a partisan vote, Democrats opposed Oz over questions about Medicaid cuts, but Republicans praised his intentions to reform the program.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is a confirmed administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The Senate approved former attending physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital and a surgical professor at Columbia University by votes of 53-45 parties.
Of that amount, $880 billion is expected to come from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees Medicaid.
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The president said he would not allow reductions in programs other than those that constitute waste, fraud or abuse.
“When he asked him yes or no questions asked about whether he would protect Medicaid, he dodged, he weave, he simply didn’t answer,” Wyden said on March 25th.
Oz refused to say he would oppose cutting Medicaid spending. Instead, his response pointed to ways to improve American health, thereby reducing healthcare costs.
“We have a generational opportunity to modify our healthcare system and help people stay healthy for longer,” Oz said in his opening remarks on March 14th.
Senator Maggie Hassan (DN.H.) also opposed Oz’s nomination.
“Dr. Oz refused to follow the law if President Trump instructed him to do something illegal. He was disqualified for not committing that,” Hassan said on March 25th.
Republicans who support OZ’s nomination focused on the promised improvements to the Medicaid system.
“I vote in favor of his nomination. I encourage my colleagues on either side of the aisle to do the same.”
At the March 14 confirmation hearing, Republicans raised questions about wasteful spending, rules governing companies that set prescription drug prices and administer claims, and long delays to obtain permission for necessary medical procedures.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said Republicans intend to improve Medicaid, so those who rely on it will continue to be available to those who rely on it.
“We’re here to save Medicaid,” Marshall said on March 25th.
“When you spend $1 trillion on Medicaid when it’s 50% up over five years, I think there’s an opportunity to address fraud, waste and eligibility issues.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) had questioned some of the candidate’s views, but voted to confirm his appointment.
“I hope he changed his opinion to match President Trump!” Holy wrote on March 19th.
After graduating from Harvard University, Oz received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and a Masters in Business Administration from Wharton School.
