Dr. Mehmet Oz, chosen by President Donald Trump to lead the agency overseeing large government-run health insurance programs, refrained from committing to oppose potential future cuts to Medicaid during his Senate confirmation hearing.
Instead, the nominee for administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services emphasized that protecting Medicaid involves “ensuring its viability at every level.”
This exchange during Oz’s confirmation hearing raises concerns about the status of Medicaid under a Republican-controlled Congress and White House, notwithstanding Trump’s assurances to safeguard it and other federal safety-net initiatives.
Recently, the Congressional Budget Office indicated that House Republicans’ current budget would struggle to achieve its spending-cut targets without making significant reductions to Medicare or Medicaid coverage.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the Senate Finance Committee’s ranking member, questioned Oz during the hearing, asking, “Given your appreciation for Medicaid, will you commit to opposing cuts to the Medicaid program?”
“I value Medicaid and have considerable experience working within its framework, as I noted, having practiced at Columbia University,” Oz responded.
Wyden countered, “That doesn’t address the question, doctor. The inquiry is whether you will oppose cuts to this program that you claim to cherish?”
Oz again declined to give a definitive answer.
“My goal is to ensure that individuals have access to resources for protection in case they become ill,” he stated.
“To safeguard Medicaid, we need to ensure it is sustainable at every level, including having sufficient practitioners to deliver services, compensating them adequately for their work, and enabling patients to utilize Medicaid effectively.”
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