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CMS Nominee Oz Nears Confirmation Despite Concerns About Medicaid Cuts

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.

CMS logo on phone
Mehmet Oz seems likely to be confirmed as CMS administrator after the Finance Committee moved the nomination to the full Senate. (Shutterstock)
Quick Facts
  • Mehmet Oz appears headed to Senate confirmation as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator after the Senate Finance Committee approved his nomination along party lines.
  • Democrats did not support Oz's nomination because he would not pledge to protect the Medicaid program from potential cuts.
  • Republicans supported Oz despite his pledge to continue exploring policies that would reduce drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid, a position he reiterated in written responses to questions submitted by the committee after his confirmation hearing.

The Senate Finance Committee approved Mehmet Oz’s nomination to become US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator despite Democrats’ concerns that he will “rubber stamp” Republican plans to significantly...

Oz was approved on 25 March in a party-line vote with all Democrats opposed. The nomination will go to the full Senate, where confirmation is expected.

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