1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The reported nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is profoundly concerning. As a television personality with a history of promoting unproven medical treatments and products, Dr. Oz lacks the expertise and credibility necessary to oversee healthcare programs serving over 150 million Americans. His questionable views on issues like COVID-19 treatments and support for alternative medicine raise serious doubts about his ability to uphold evidence-based policies that protect public health. Putting someone without substantive policy experience in charge of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act exchanges jeopardizes access to quality, affordable care for our nation's elderly, low-income families, and millions who obtain coverage through the healthcare exchanges. These crucial programs demand leadership committed to safeguarding their integrity and expanding coverage, not undermining their effectiveness through misguided reforms. I urge you to firmly oppose this nomination and insist on an administrator with a proven track record of promoting policies that strengthen our healthcare system and improve outcomes for all Americans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plays a vital role, and its leadership should inspire trust and confidence in its stewardship of programs millions of people depend on. Dr. Oz's background makes him unfit for such an immense responsibility.