Dr. Mehmet Oz, a tv personality who lost his bid for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat two years ago, is President-Elect Trump’s nominee as the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
CMS is the agency that oversees federal rules applicable to Medicaid and Medicare—these include rules on if, when and how to compensate private sector financial advisors who work with individuals getting their health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid.
Generally, CMS with its jurisdiction over the rules governing the Medicaid program, will be a key player in what looks like will be an effort to make substantial cuts to Medicaid. Dr. Oz is also a supporter of expanding Medicare Advantage, the part of Medicare that covers about half of all Medicare beneficiaries.
Prospects: The Dr. Oz nomination is also at least somewhat controversial (although not as hotly contested as some other nominations). Still, Senate Republicans (there will be 53 of them in the 119th Congress) are predisposed to accommodate President-Elect Trump’s choices for his regulatory team, and these nominations require only a simple majority (50 votes). So, despite concerns and worries, and some vigorous opposition, it is likely, although not guaranteed, that the Senate will confirm Dr. Oz when the nomination gets to the Senate for a vote.
NAIFA Staff Contact: Mike Hedge – Senior Director – Government Relations, at mhedge@naifa.org.