5 Shocking Policy Battles Dr. Oz Faces As The New CMS Administrator

The transition of Dr. Mehmet Oz from a celebrity television host and heart surgeon to a high-ranking government official is one of the most unexpected political career pivots in recent memory. As of April 2025, the man once known for promoting controversial health supplements on the daytime airwaves now holds the reins of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency that oversees healthcare for over 150 million Americans. This unprecedented move has thrust the former Pennsylvania Senate candidate into the center of America's most contentious health policy debates, where his past advice and political leanings are clashing directly with his new responsibilities.

The phrase "Dr. Oz and" no longer refers to a co-host or a television segment; it signifies a seismic shift in American health policy. His role as the 17th CMS Administrator puts him in charge of Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace (Affordable Care Act/ACA). The controversies that plagued his Senate campaign and TV career have followed him to Washington, creating immediate, high-stakes policy battles that will define his tenure and impact millions of beneficiaries.

Dr. Mehmet Oz: Surgeon, Media Mogul, and Government Official

Mehmet Cengiz Oz, widely known as Dr. Oz, has had a multi-faceted career that spans medicine, media, and politics. His professional biography provides context for the scrutiny he now faces as a health policy leader.

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• Full Name: Mehmet Cengiz Oz
• Date of Birth: June 11, 1960
• Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
• Education: Harvard University (Undergraduate), University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (MD), Wharton School (MBA)
• Medical Career: Cardiothoracic Surgeon; Professor Emeritus at Columbia University.
• Media Career (1995–2022): Regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show; Host of The Dr. Oz Show (2009–2022).
• Political Career: Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania (2022), losing to John Fetterman.
• Current Role (2025–Present): 17th Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Five Biggest Policy Confrontations Defining Dr. Oz's CMS Tenure

Dr. Oz’s confirmation as CMS Administrator was met with immediate, bipartisan scrutiny, largely due to his history of promoting scientifically unproven health remedies and his political alignment with the Trump Administration's goal of repealing the Affordable Care Act. His new agenda centers on reducing costs and empowering Medicare beneficiaries, but these goals are fraught with political and ethical challenges.

1. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Marketplace Legitimacy

One of the most immediate and intense policy battles Dr. Oz faces is the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), often referred to as Obamacare. As a key figure in the Trump Administration, Dr. Oz has publicly questioned the legitimacy and effectiveness of ACA coverage for millions of Americans.

His statements suggest a push to dismantle or severely restrict the program, which provides health insurance to over 40 million people through Medicaid expansion and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Critics argue that his questioning of the ACA's validity creates instability and fear among beneficiaries, while supporters believe his appointment signals a necessary move toward market-based alternatives and cost reduction. He has stated that the administration has a "full plan" to replace the ACA, though details remain scarce, fueling the controversy.

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2. The Ozempic and GLP-1 Drug Coverage Debate

Perhaps the most personal and ethically challenging issue for the new Administrator is the coverage of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, under Medicare. Prior to his CMS role, Dr. Oz was a vocal proponent of these medications for weight management, a fact that now presents a significant conflict of interest.

CMS policy currently prohibits Medicare Part D from covering drugs used solely for weight loss. However, the immense popularity and effectiveness of GLP-1s have led to a massive push for Medicare to make an exception. The dilemma is stark:

• The Conflict: Dr. Oz's past promotion of the drugs clashes with his current responsibility to manage Medicare’s massive budget.
• The Cost: Covering these expensive medications would place a substantial financial burden on Medicare, potentially costing hundreds of billions of dollars over a decade.
• The Policy: His decision on whether to maintain the current exclusion or push for an exception will directly affect the health and financial stability of millions of seniors struggling with obesity and diabetes.

3. Medicare Advantage vs. Traditional Medicare

A core priority for the Trump Administration and, by extension, Dr. Oz's CMS, is the expansion and promotion of Medicare Advantage (MA), the private health plan alternative to Traditional Medicare. Dr. Oz’s stated goal of "empowering beneficiaries" often translates into policies that favor MA plans, which are run by private insurers.

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This approach has drawn criticism from healthcare advocates who argue that over-reliance on MA can lead to:

• Denial of Care: Concerns that private plans may use prior authorization to deny necessary treatment at a higher rate than Traditional Medicare.
• Limited Networks: Restrictions on a beneficiary's choice of doctors and hospitals compared to the nationwide coverage of Traditional Medicare.
• Overpayment: Longstanding issues regarding overpayment to MA plans by the federal government.

Dr. Oz is positioned to be a key architect in the ongoing debate over the balance and funding between these two massive healthcare systems.

4. Reconciling Past Controversial Health Advice with Policy

Dr. Oz’s history of promoting unproven or controversial medical treatments on his television show casts a long shadow over his ability to make sound, evidence-based policy decisions. During his Senate confirmation hearings, opponents repeatedly cited instances where he advocated for "miracle" weight-loss supplements and even suggested the use of malaria drugs for Covid-19.

Now, as the head of CMS, his decisions directly influence which drugs and treatments are covered by the federal government, setting national standards for medical necessity. Critics fear his past willingness to prioritize sensationalism over scientific rigor will compromise the integrity of CMS, while his supporters argue his surgical background and medical knowledge are an asset.

5. Medicaid Cuts and State Flexibility

The Trump Administration has historically sought to reduce federal spending on social programs, including Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income adults, children, and people with disabilities. Dr. Oz has been tasked with pursuing policies that grant states more "flexibility," which often means allowing states to implement stricter work requirements or block grants that cap federal funding.

This policy direction is highly controversial because:

• It could lead to millions of people losing Medicaid coverage if states tighten eligibility rules.
• It shifts financial risk from the federal government to the states, potentially straining state budgets and reducing services.

Dr. Oz's management of Medicaid waivers and funding will be a critical measure of his commitment to the most vulnerable populations served by the agency.

What Dr. Oz’s Appointment Means for the Future of U.S. Healthcare

Dr. Mehmet Oz’s arrival at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services marks a definitive shift toward a more politically charged and potentially disruptive era for federal health programs. His tenure is not merely about administering the status quo; it is about executing a conservative agenda focused on deregulation, cost reduction, and the transformation of the ACA.

The success or failure of "Dr. Oz and" the CMS will be measured by how he balances the political demands of his appointer, the ethical responsibilities of his medical oath, and the complex needs of the millions of seniors, low-income families, and disabled Americans who rely on the programs he now oversees. His decisions on the ACA, Medicare Advantage, and novel drug coverage will be watched closely, setting precedents that could reshape American health policy for the next decade.