Senate Panel Advances Nomination of Dr. Oz to Head Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Democrats are skeptical of the nominee’s views on Medicaid funding while Republicans support his plans to improve the program.

Republican Pennsylvania Senate nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks at an event with Nikki Haley in Harrisburg, Pa., on Oct. 26, 2022. Mark Makela/Getty Images

Dr. Mehmet Oz moved a step closer to becoming administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as the Senate Committee on Finance recommended his confirmation on March 25.

President Donald Trump nominated Oz to lead the agency that administers health coverage payments for more than 160 million people and spends one in five taxpayer dollars through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.