By: Fern Sidman

In a move that has stirred both praise and controversy, President Donald Trump formally swore in Dr. Mehmet Oz on Friday as the new Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—the federal agency overseeing the nation’s largest public health insurance programs. As The Hill reported, the ceremony was held in the Oval Office, where Trump celebrated Oz’s credentials and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Medicare and Medicaid without making cuts.

Dr. Oz, best known for his decades-long career as a celebrity physician and heart surgeon, now assumes responsibility for managing over $1.5 trillion in annual federal spending, impacting the lives of more than 150 million Americans who rely on Medicare and Medicaid for essential health services. His confirmation, which passed the Senate by a narrow 53-45 vote along party lines earlier this month, marks one of the most unconventional CMS appointments in the agency’s history.

During the ceremony, President Trump praised Oz as an “internationally acclaimed heart and lung surgeon,” and noted with mock irony, “how convenient” it was that Oz graduated from Harvard University—a jab at the institution that has recently found itself in a public clash with the White House over federal funding issues. Trump mistakenly referred to CMS as the “Centers for Medicine and Medicaid Services,” a misnomer that drew light chuckles but highlighted the seriousness of the role Oz now holds.

“We’re delighted to swear in Dr. Mehmet Oz as the next Administrator of the Centers for Medicine and Medicaid Services, which is a big deal,” Trump declared, according to The Hill. “There will be no cuts. We’re not going to have any cuts. We’re going to have only help.”

In his inaugural remarks as CMS Administrator, Dr. Oz outlined a pragmatic and results-oriented agenda. Stressing a need for honest dialogue and national self-reflection, Oz acknowledged the staggering cost of American health care and pointed to four critical issues which include state budgets stretched by Medicaid. Oz highlighted how Medicaid spending is crowding out education and other vital social programs at the state level.

On the issue of high health care spending per capita, Dr. Oz noted that the U.S. spends significantly more per patient than peer nations, often with worse outcomes.

Concerning the prevalence of medical errors, Dr.  Oz cited preventable medical mistakes as a leading cause of death in the United States.

Dr. Oz also addressed the issue of declining life expectancy, saying that while life expectancy is rebounding from the COVID-19 slump, it still lags behind pre-pandemic levels, a troubling trend he said must be reversed.

As the report in The Hill emphasized, Dr. Oz is closely aligned with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in prioritizing chronic disease prevention and lifestyle improvements. “It’s the patriotic duty of all Americans to take care of themselves,” Oz said. “Healthy people don’t consume health care resources. The best way to reduce drug spending is to use less drugs because you don’t need them.”

Echoing longstanding Republican concerns, Oz vowed to aggressively pursue waste, fraud, and abuse in federal health programs. He singled out several targets, including unauthorized brokers – Individuals enrolling people in Medicaid plans without their consent. He also addressed spending on undocumented immigrants and reiterated the administration’s stance on tightening eligibility.

Other issues addressed by Dr. Oz were multi-state enrollments which are cases where individuals are enrolled in Medicaid across state lines, as well as improper fund use – Including expenditures on non-medical services such as childcare.

“These programs must serve those who truly need them, and every dollar must be used responsibly,” Oz declared, as quoted by The Hill. “We’ll make America healthy again.”

The ceremony took an unexpected turn when a young girl—reportedly part of Dr. Oz’s party—collapsed and fainted during Trump’s Q&A session with reporters. The event was quickly halted, and medical personnel responded swiftly. The incident, though brief, served as an emotional reminder of the stakes involved in managing the country’s health care systems.

Dr. Oz’s tenure at CMS is expected to be marked by bold initiatives, scrutiny from both political parties, and heightened public interest given his high-profile background. President Trump sees his outsider status as a strength in reforming a bloated bureaucracy.