1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services raises significant concerns about his qualifications and suitability for such a critical role overseeing vital health care programs and expenditures. Dr. Oz has a troubling track record of promoting questionable and unproven medical treatments, supplements, and therapies that lack scientific evidence. His advocacy for discredited therapies like hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment and his promotion of homeopathy, which lacks any demonstrable health benefits, undermine public trust in science-based medicine. Appointing someone with a history of endorsing dubious health claims and remedies to lead an agency responsible for administering Medicare and Medicaid programs, which impact millions of Americans, would be a disservice to the public interest. Dr. Oz's credentials and professional conduct do not inspire confidence in his ability to steward these vital programs effectively and ensure the judicious allocation of healthcare resources based on sound medical evidence. A rigorous confirmation process is necessary to thoroughly scrutinize his qualifications and address these substantial concerns before any consideration of his candidacy.