President-elect Donald Trump has announced his selection of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Trump praised Dr. Oz's qualifications, highlighting his expertise as a physician, heart surgeon, inventor, and communicator dedicated to promoting healthy living.
Dr. Oz, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and TV personality, gained prominence through appearances on Oprah Winfrey's show before launching his own talk show. He previously ran for the US Senate in Pennsylvania as a Republican.
Trump emphasized Dr. Oz's role in addressing healthcare challenges, including combating chronic diseases and tackling waste and fraud within CMS, a significant portion of the national healthcare budget.
Dr. Oz's appointment comes as CMS oversees critical healthcare programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act exchanges, impacting over 150 million Americans. The agency falls under the Department of Health and Human Services, which will be led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pending Senate confirmation.
