1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

Dr. Mehmet Oz's comments that it is Americans' "patriotic duty" to stay healthy while serving as the head of Medicare and Medicaid are deeply concerning and show a lack of understanding of systemic barriers to healthcare access. Seventy percent of healthcare spending goes towards chronic illness, but this statistic fails to acknowledge the socioeconomic determinants and lack of affordable care options that contribute to such conditions. Cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and imposing tariffs on prescription drugs will only exacerbate barriers and make it harder for Americans to receive the care they need. Blaming individuals for illness while ignoring affordability and access issues is counterproductive. As the leader of these crucial programs, Dr. Oz should be advocating for policies that expand healthcare access and affordability, not shaming Americans struggling with chronic conditions often beyond their control. His rhetoric promotes an unhelpful narrative that healthcare is an individual responsibility rather than a human right. For these reasons, I am calling for Dr. Oz's resignation as the head of Medicare and Medicaid. We need leadership committed to real solutions, not misguided patriotic rhetoric that lacks compassion and nuance.