The nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has sparked discussions about potential impacts on health insurance coverage for New Jersey residents and beyond. President-elect Donald Trump announced his decision to nominate Oz, a cardiologist and former television personality, who is known for promoting controversial medical claims.
Trump stated, “America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again,” emphasizing that Oz would challenge the "illness industrial complex" and advocate for disease prevention.
Dr. Oz, who owns property in Cliffside Park, previously hosted "The Dr. Oz Show" until 2022 when he ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania as a Republican against Democratic Sen. John Fetterman. Despite his media presence, Oz lacks government experience.
Joel Cantor, director of Rutgers University’s Center for State Health Policy, expressed concerns regarding the implications of Trump's choice on health insurance markets. He anticipates potential rollbacks on protections established under former President Obama that ensure free preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies.
Cantor voiced worries about the Obamacare marketplace's future under an administration led by Trump with Dr. Oz at CMS's helm: “I can easily see backsliding on preventative services,” Cantor remarked to NJ Spotlight News. He also fears regulatory changes could deter healthy individuals from participating in these plans due to increased costs.
Regarding Medicaid, Cantor highlighted possible negative effects on New Jersey's modernized program addressing social determinants of health such as housing and food insecurity if initiatives are politically unpopular with some constituents.
Despite these concerns, Cantor noted that significant changes within large government systems take time due to their complexity: “Inertia is on our side” when it comes to protecting modifications made in New Jersey’s Medicaid program.
Dr. Oz’s connection with Trump dates back to 2016 when then-candidate Trump appeared on his show to reveal results from his physical exam.
