The US Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Nominated by former President Donald Trump, Oz was approved in a 53-45 vote. Despite having no prior public office experience, he will now oversee healthcare programs covering nearly half of the American population.

A trained surgeon, Oz gained fame through The Oprah Winfrey Show before hosting The Dr. Oz Show from 2009 to 2022. However, his promotion of alternative medicine and controversial health claims, including unproven Covid-19 treatments, have drawn criticism from experts.

The CMS regulates health insurance policies and determines healthcare costs for hospitals and drug providers. In 2023, the US spent over $1.4 trillion on Medicare and Medicaid. Trump’s transition team stated that Oz would collaborate with US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to challenge the “illness industrial complex.”

Democrats have alleged that Oz may have underpaid Medicare taxes by $403,739 between 2021 and 2023. However, his spokesperson stated that a government ethics review found no violations. Despite controversies, Trump has praised Oz, calling him one of the most qualified doctors to lead US healthcare reforms.