Dr. Oz dodges questions on Medicaid cuts during confirmation hearing testimony
Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's pick to lead Medicare and Medicaid, sidestepped questions from senators on whether he supports significant Medicaid cuts.
WASHINGTON — Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's pick to lead Medicare and Medicaid, on Friday sidestepped several questions from senators about whether he supports a House budget resolution that could lead to significant cuts to Medicaid.
The budget plan, adopted by House Republicans late last month, directs the Energy and Commerce Committee to identify at least $880 billion in mandatory spending cuts over the next 10 years, the majority of which is expected to come from the health program.
Oz, a former surgeon and TV personality, pledged during his Senate confirmation hearing to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to fight waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system — an argument being used by some Republicans to defend the possible cuts.
However, he made no commitments to protect Medicaid funding.
“I want to make sure that the patients today and in the future have resources to protect them if they get ill,” Oz said. “The way you protect Medicaid is by making sure that it’s viable at every level.”
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