Site icon Turkish Minute

Turkish-American Dr. Oz, criticized for ties to Erdoğan, tapped by Trump to run Medicare

Turkish Minute

Donald Trump announced November 19 that he was appointing Mehmet Oz, a former surgeon and TV celebrity known as "Dr. Oz," to lead the United States' massive public health insurance program. The 64-year-old heart surgeon was championed on daytime television by Oprah Winfrey before he entered politics with an unsuccessful bid for a Senate seat in 2022. (Photo by Ryan Collerd / AFP)

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Mehmet Oz, a Turkish-American celebrity doctor with ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had been selected to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a role overseeing healthcare for more than 150 million Americans.

Oz, 64, a prominent Turkish-American cardiac surgeon and former television host, will be nominated as the next administrator of the CMS. Oz has previously drawn criticism due to his ties to Turkey’s autocratic president and controversies surrounding his medical advice and political history.

Known widely as “Dr. Oz” from his daytime talk show that ran from 2009 to 2022, Oz is a dual Turkish-US citizen. He has faced scrutiny for maintaining his Turkish citizenship and serving in the Turkish military, which he said was necessary to care for his ailing mother. Critics argue these connections raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially given Erdoğan’s reputation for leveraging expatriate Turkish citizens for political purposes.

In a statement Trump described Oz as “an eminent physician and world-class communicator” capable of addressing what he called America’s “healthcare crisis.” Trump emphasized Oz’s experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon and his educational background, which includes degrees from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. Trump also touted Oz’s ability to implement healthcare reforms focused on preventive care and cost efficiency.

Oz will work alongside Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has also drawn attention for controversial positions on public health.

If confirmed, Oz will oversee Medicare and Medicaid, which provide healthcare coverage to more than 150 million Americans. Together, the programs account for roughly 25 percent of the federal budget, with combined spending exceeding $1.7 trillion annually. The CMS administrator also manages programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Health Insurance Marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act.

Republican lawmakers and Trump’s economic advisers have suggested potential cuts to Medicaid and other welfare programs to fund the extension of Trump’s tax cuts from 2017, adding urgency to Oz’s prospective role in reshaping the nation’s healthcare landscape.

Controversial background

Oz’s career trajectory — from a respected surgeon and professor at Columbia University to a television personality — has been marked by controversy. His promotion of unproven supplements and alternative health remedies on “The Dr. Oz Show” drew criticism from the medical community, culminating in a 2014 Senate hearing where he faced accusations of misleading the public.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Oz further courted controversy by endorsing treatments unsupported by scientific consensus, including hydroxychloroquine. His political ambitions also raised eyebrows. In 2022 he ran unsuccessfully for a Pennsylvania Senate seat as a Republican, losing to Democrat John Fetterman. His campaign faced criticism for personal attacks on Fetterman and questions about his residency in Pennsylvania, as he had lived in New Jersey for decades.

Turkish ties under scrutiny

Oz’s Turkish citizenship and connections to influential figures in Turkey have sparked national security concerns. He has participated in events organized by Turkish-American groups with links to Erdoğan’s government, including the World Turkish Business Council and the Turkish American National Steering Committee.

Critics, including NBA player and Erdoğan critic Enes Kanter Freedom, have alleged that Oz’s ties to Erdoğan could make him susceptible to foreign influence.

Oz has denied these claims, asserting that his actions have been limited to supporting the Turkish-American community and caring for his family. He has publicly criticized Erdoğan’s policies, including Turkey’s purchase of Russian missile systems and efforts to extradite then-Pennsylvania-based late Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen, Erdoğan’s one-time archenemy who passed away last month.

Oz’s nomination marks the latest addition to Trump’s Cabinet, which has drawn a mix of praise and criticism for its unconventional selections. If confirmed by the Senate, Oz will replace current CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. The confirmation process is expected to include rigorous questioning of Oz’s medical credentials, political history and international connections.

Oz responded to the nomination on X, saying, “I am honored to be nominated by President Trump to lead CMS. I look forward to serving my country to Make America Healthy Again.”

Exit mobile version