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.
“Obviously our politics are different and we have a history, but I have no hard feelings. I have nothing 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 combat the disease-industrial complex and all the terrible chronic diseases left in its wake.”
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 great nomination. Welcome Dr. From Oz to the Avengers. Making America Healthy Again Let’s make it!,” Kennedy tweeted.
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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.
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.
