On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee voted 14 to 13 along party lines to advance the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz, the well-known former heart surgeon and television personality, for the position of Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under President Donald Trump.

Key Details of the Nomination

Dr. Oz, if confirmed by the full Senate, would be responsible for overseeing nearly $1.5 trillion in federal spending on health insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. These programs are critical components of the federal budget and have often been the focus of political debate.

Having achieved notable fame as the host of The Dr. Oz Show, Oz previously held a position as a professor of cardiac surgery at Columbia University. After the cancellation of his show in 2022, he ran for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania, a campaign that ultimately resulted in a loss to Senator John Fetterman.

Support and Criticism Surrounding Oz’s Nomination

During the nomination process, Dr. Oz garnered support from several Republican senators, including committee chairman Mike Crapo from Idaho, who characterized him as “uniquely qualified” due to his extensive experience in medicine and public health.

Conversely, opposition from Democratic committee members highlighted concerns regarding Oz’s financial history and his views on sensitive topics such as abortion. Accusations included alleged tax evasions, which further fueled the debate during the confirmation hearing.

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the committee, expressed his reservations by stating that Oz failed to demonstrate a commitment to protecting key health care programs from potential cuts advocated by some Republicans.

Next Steps for the Nomination

With the committee’s approval secured, Dr. Oz’s nomination is set to be brought before the entire Senate. Republicans, who hold a slim majority, will need to maintain party unity to confirm Oz, as they can afford to lose up to three votes, with Vice President J.D. Vance prepared to serve as the tiebreaker.

This vote follows another closely contested confirmation in February for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, who would supervise Oz should he be confirmed.