Mehmet Oz, the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), backed President Trump’s significant bill despite worries that it could result in millions losing their health insurance. He suggested that those with new work requirements should “prove that they matter.”
During a conversation on Fox Business, Oz noted that, when Medicaid was introduced in the 1960s, job requirements were not part of the discussion.
“We want people to get back to work, or at least volunteer or help those who are returning to school,” he stated. “Basically, do something to show you have a stake in your future.”
He mentioned that many Americans are willing to contribute and should be able to enroll in Medicaid if they choose to.
“But if you’re not interested in those options, then we’ll encourage you to seek employment and switch to regular insurance. We can’t keep funding Medicaid for those individuals,” he explained.
“It’s about getting into entry-level jobs, proving your value. Having a sense of agency is important. Life can be so much more fulfilling when you feel in control of your own destiny, and it may even lead to better insurance,” he added.
According to a nonpartisan analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), nearly 11 million people could lose their health insurance if the House Republican tax bill passes in the Senate. This would mainly be due to cuts in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The proposed bill includes massive tax cuts, largely funded by reducing federal benefits, particularly for Medicaid.
Specifically, it would cut federal Medicaid spending by $79.3 billion. Most of these savings are related to new work requirements and stringent eligibility checks.
The bill mandates that states enforce work requirements for adults without children aged 19 to 64, with some exceptions, for Medicaid eligibility.
Starting December 2026, adults will need to work at least 80 hours a month to qualify for this public insurance program.
While some allies in Congress downplay potential negative effects of the Medicaid reforms, others, including several Senate Republicans, are expressing concerns over the cuts.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought characterized worries about the bill as “silly.”
“The bill protects the social safety net and maintains the program. No one will lose their benefits because of it,” he stated.
Democrats are pushing back against the proposed cuts, while GOP members like Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine), and Josh Hawley (Missouri) are seeking amendments to the bill that passed in the House last month.
