1. United States
2. Ore.
3. Letter

I urge you to oppose the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As a celebrity TV personality without significant health policy experience, Dr. Oz lacks the qualifications for this critical role overseeing programs that provide healthcare coverage to nearly half the country. His statements during the confirmation hearing raise major concerns. Dr. Oz failed to commit to protecting Medicaid from severe cuts proposed by Republicans to pay for tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy. Medicaid provides essential healthcare access to millions of low-income Americans, including children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and seniors. Slashing its funding would be devastating. Furthermore, Dr. Oz has a concerning history of promoting dubious health products and weight loss schemes on his TV show, drawing condemnation from medical professionals. His financial ties to healthcare corporations like UnitedHealth Group also call into question his ability to objectively regulate Medicare Advantage plans, which have faced criticisms of overcharging and cherry-picking healthier enrollees. Given the pivotal role CMS plays in administering Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, we need a qualified, impartial leader dedicated to strengthening these vital programs – not someone beholden to corporate interests or partisan agendas that would undermine healthcare access for vulnerable populations. I strongly urge you to reject Dr. Oz's nomination and appoint a nominee with the experience and commitment to preserving and improving our public health insurance system.