5 Shocking Career Turns: What Dr. Oz Is Doing Now As A Major US Health Policy Leader

The landscape of American health policy was irrevocably altered in 2025, marking the most dramatic career shift for one of television's most famous doctors. As of December 12, 2025, Dr. Mehmet Oz is no longer just a cardiothoracic surgeon, celebrity host of "The Dr. Oz Show," or a former U.S. Senate candidate; he has officially been confirmed and sworn in as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

This stunning transition places Dr. Oz at the helm of an agency that manages nearly $1.5 trillion in federal healthcare spending, overseeing programs that affect over 150 million Americans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). His appointment by President Donald Trump and subsequent confirmation by the Senate has ignited intense debate across the healthcare and political spectrum, signaling a new era for federal health policy with a focus on fighting chronic disease and 'modernizing' the massive programs.

Dr. Mehmet Oz: A Complete Biography and Professional Profile

Mehmet Cengiz Oz, known globally as Dr. Oz, has had a multi-faceted career spanning medicine, media, and now, high-level government administration. His profile is a complex blend of academic rigor, media celebrity, and political ambition.

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• Full Name: Mehmet Cengiz Oz
• Date of Birth: June 11, 1960
• Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
• Nationality: Turkish-American
• Education:
  • Harvard University (Undergraduate)
  • University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (MD)
  • Wharton School of Business (MBA) - Graduated with dual MD/MBA degrees in 1986.
• Medical Career Highlights:
  • Renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
  • Former Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University.
  • Director of the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
  • Innovator: Developed or co-developed several medical devices and procedures, including the MitraClip for mitral valve repair.
• Media Career Highlights:
  • Rose to prominence through regular appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
  • Host of the Emmy-winning daytime talk show "The Dr. Oz Show" (2009–2022).
  • Co-author of the popular "YOU" series of health books.
• Political Career:
  • Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania (2022), ultimately losing to John Fetterman.
• Current Role (2025): Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Stunning Shift: From Hollywood to Healthcare Policy Chief

Dr. Oz’s appointment to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is arguably the most significant chapter in his career, surpassing his years as a celebrity physician. The nomination, made by President Donald Trump, and his subsequent confirmation in early 2025, cemented his pivot from a public health educator to a high-ranking government official responsible for the financial health and care quality of millions.

This role is a stark contrast to his previous public persona, which often involved promoting alternative medicine and health supplements—a history that critics frequently highlighted during his Senate confirmation hearings. Now, as the head of the nation's largest health insurer, his focus is entirely on policy, budget, and administrative efficiency.

The sheer scale of the CMS portfolio is immense. It encompasses not only Medicare, which covers seniors and certain disabled individuals, but also the federal portion of Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income adults and children. His duties entail overseeing the implementation of major healthcare laws, managing provider payments, and setting quality standards across the entire system. This is a role that requires a deep understanding of complex health policy, economics, and public administration.

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Dr. Oz’s 2025 Policy Priorities for CMS: Chronic Disease and Medicare Advantage

Upon taking office, Dr. Oz immediately outlined a set of ambitious priorities, many of which align with the broader goals of the Trump administration and conservative think tanks, such as the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. His agenda is centered on three core areas: reducing chronic disease, modernizing the programs, and fighting fraud and waste.

Focus on Chronic Disease and Prevention

Given his medical background, it is no surprise that Dr. Oz has made the fight against chronic disease a central pillar of his CMS strategy. He has repeatedly stated that a significant portion of the federal healthcare budget is spent treating preventable conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

• Preventative Health Integration: He is pushing for CMS to place a greater emphasis on wellness and prevention programs, aiming to shift the system from one focused purely on treating sickness to one that actively promotes health.
• Nutrition and Lifestyle: Actions, such as the USDA approving new SNAP waivers to restrict 'unhealthy foods,' have been framed by Oz as part of a government-wide plan to combat obesity and chronic disease. This suggests a policy direction that links federal benefits to healthier lifestyle choices.

Modernizing and Streamlining Medicare and Medicaid

A key administrative goal under Dr. Oz is the "modernization" of Medicare and Medicaid. This involves leveraging technology to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucratic overhead, and enhance the patient experience.

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• Targeting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: One of his stated goals is to aggressively target fraudulent activities that siphon billions of dollars from the federal budget. This involves new oversight and enforcement mechanisms to ensure taxpayer money is spent effectively.
• Improving Access and Quality: He has promised to ensure all Americans have access to world-class healthcare, though the specifics of how to achieve this while also controlling costs remain a complex political and economic challenge.

The Push for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans

Perhaps the most controversial and closely watched aspect of his tenure is his stance on Medicare Advantage (MA). Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance alternatives to traditional Medicare, and Oz is seen as a strong proponent of these managed care options.

Analysts suggest that as CMS Administrator, Dr. Oz will likely favor policies that strengthen and expand MA plans, arguing that they offer better value and coordinated care. However, this focus has drawn scrutiny from consumer advocates who worry about potential care denials and the shift of public funds to private insurers. His administration will be under constant pressure to balance the promotion of MA with rigorous oversight to prevent care denials and ensure quality of service for beneficiaries.

The Long-Term Impact of Dr. Oz’s Leadership

Dr. Oz’s transition from a celebrity figure to a powerful health policy leader represents a significant moment in the history of CMS. His unique blend of medical authority, media savvy, and political experience gives him a powerful platform to enact change. Entities across the healthcare ecosystem—from the American Medical Association (AMA) to major insurance carriers—are closely monitoring his every move, knowing that his decisions will shape the future of healthcare delivery and financing in the United States for years to come.

Whether he can successfully navigate the political complexities and administrative challenges of CMS while implementing his ambitious agenda remains the defining question of his tenure. His leadership is expected to turbocharge the debate on preventative health, the role of private insurance in public programs, and the overall trajectory of federal health spending.