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Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services

President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), citing the Pennsylvania-educated heart surgeon’s decades-long dedication to healthcare innovation and public advocacy. The announcement came Tuesday, Nov. 19, as Trump highlighted Oz’s qualifications and ties to the Keystone State.

Dr. Mehmet Oz promoting season 13 of the "Dr. Oz Show" in Sept. 2021.

Dr. Mehmet Oz promoting season 13 of the "Dr. Oz Show" in Sept. 2021.

Photo Credit: Twitter/Dr. Oz

Dr. Oz earned both his medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine and Wharton Business School, making him an Ivy League-trained physician and business leader. Trump lauded his achievements in a statement, calling Oz “an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator.”

“America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again,” Trump said.

Oz’s nomination follows his high-profile bid for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania during the 2022 midterms, where he narrowly lost to Sen. John Fetterman. Despite the loss, Oz’s ties to Pennsylvania remain a central part of his identity, having launched his political and professional platforms from the state.

The CMS, which oversees a quarter of the federal budget, plays a critical role in administering healthcare programs for millions of Americans. Trump emphasized that Oz will focus on disease prevention, reducing government waste, and tackling fraud within the agency, which he described as a critical element of his vision for healthcare reform.

Beyond his medical achievements, which include numerous patents and over 400 scientific publications, Oz gained national recognition as the host of “The Dr. Oz Show.” The Emmy-winning series educated millions on health and wellness topics and served as a platform for Oz’s advocacy work. Trump also praised Oz and his wife, Lisa, for founding HealthCorps, a nonprofit dedicated to improving health education for underserved teens.

In his new role, Oz is expected to collaborate with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to confront what Trump referred to as the “illness industrial complex,” targeting the root causes of chronic disease.

“I am confident he will fight to ensure everyone in America receives the best possible Healthcare, so our Country can be Great and Healthy Again!” Trump said.

The nomination now moves to the Senate, where Oz’s qualifications and policy plans will undergo scrutiny.

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