Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman said he would approve the confirmation of his former political rival, Dr. Mehmet Oz, to become administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) if Oz intends to protect government programs. He said he planned to vote.
“I will vote for Dr. Oz if he cares about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid,” Fetterman tweeted.
Fetterman defeated Republican Oz in the 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race.
Fetterman denounces 'UN status, rampant anti-Semitism', says he looks forward to Elise Stefanik's confirmation
Left: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) seen at the U.S. Capitol during voting on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Right: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz laughs during a discussion on safe street communities at Gardos Catering and Entertainment on October 13, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Left: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, Getty Images; Right: Mark Makela/Getty Images)
“Obviously our politics are different and we have a history, but I have no hard feelings. I have no hard feelings against him,” Fetterman said. According to CNN's Manu Raju.
President-elect Donald Trump announced that he will nominate Oz to head CMS, which falls under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“America is facing a medical crisis, and there may be no doctor more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to make America healthy again,” Trump said in a statement. “Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address this disease-industrial complex and all the terrible chronic diseases left in its wake.”
Trump appoints Dr. Oz to important HHS position in new administration
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate and former television personality Mehmet is greeted by former President Donald Trump during a rally in support of local candidates at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 3, 2022 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.・Dr. Oz. (Spencer Pratt/Getty Images)
Kennedy, who was nominated by President Trump to lead HHS, praised the president-elect's decision to select Oz as CMS administrator.
“I'm so excited that my friend @DrOz has agreed to run CMS. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for this outstanding nomination. Welcome Dr. Oz to the Avengers. Let's make America healthy again! ” Kennedy tweeted.
In a post on X, Oz said he was “honored” by Trump's nomination.
“I look forward to serving our country under the leadership of HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr to make America healthy again,” he said.
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Mehmet Oz attends the 40/40 Club Pop-up during Fanatics Fest NYC at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on August 16, 2024 in New York City. (Jon Nation/Variety, via Getty Images)
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Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) congratulated Oz, calling him “extremely qualified” for the job.
“His medical background as a cardiothoracic surgeon and public health advocate makes him the perfect fit for this position,” Paul said in a tweet.
