Senators heard from Dr. Mehmet Oz, who was appointed by President Trump to supervise Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare. Oz said that cutting costs and improving Americans’ health could be achieved through a mix of investments, new technologies, and changes to regulations.
The chance to improve health care and encourage people to live longer is a once in a generational chance, Oz told senators on Friday’s Finance Committee.
When Trump appointed Dr. Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in November, the appointment looked out of place. Oz is well-known in the United States for his daytime TV program, where he offers health tips. Managing over $1 trillion in healthcare costs is an arduous task that would test the mettle of even the most accomplished actuary. While Oz’s background as a cardiac surgeon and TV personality don’t mesh, he did bring the salesmanship talents to his confirmation hearing, making vague promises of easy treatments.
A more rational debate was what the Democrats were hoping for. They brought up Medicaid on many occasions, the federal health insurance program for low-income and handicapped individuals, which Republicans would have to reduce by tens of billions of dollars year to fund Trump’s top priorities—tax cuts, border security, and defense spending.
The question on everyone’s mind here is whether or not Medicaid will be cut. inquired of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
A question was posed to Oz by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) on the appropriate number of children losing health insurance.
Oz was asked by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) whether he would oppose changes to Medicaid that would affect hospitals in rural areas.
Oz would evade capture at all costs. He expressed his desire to safeguard healthcare for those in need, but he understood the worries of Republican senators on the fact that states had increased program expenses by allowing able-bodied individuals to participate. He spoke out in favor of work requirements, a strategy being considered by Republicans in Congress to decrease the rolls.
We don’t yet know the GOP’s Medicaid strategy. Last month, the House passed a budget resolution that, along party lines, directed a critical committee to identify $880 billion in savings over a decade, with Medicaid funding being the primary target. Republicans are still determining the details.
The Republican health proposal has to have an objection filed, according to Hassan.
Oz would rather stay up high. He spoke about being the son of immigrants and how he had the abilities to inspire his team and push for the technological, legislative, and tactical shifts he demanded.
