Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) announced his support for Dr. Mehmet Oz, his former Republican opponent in Pennsylvania’s 2022 Senate race, to serve as the next administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Fetterman’s support hinges on Oz’s commitment to safeguarding Medicare and Medicaid.
“If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” Fetterman tweeted, signaling a willingness to set aside their political differences for the sake of health policy.
Despite their fierce Senate campaign in 2022, Fetterman expressed no lingering animosity toward Oz. “Our politics are obviously different, and we do have a history, but I don’t have any bitterness. I don’t hold anything against him,” Fetterman told CNN’s Manu Raju.
New — Just spoke to Sen. John Fetterman about his old rival, Dr. Mehmet Oz, whom he defeated in a fierce 2022 Senate race.
On Oz’s nomination to head the health agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, Fetterman very much open to voting for his confirmation.
“I’m going to be…
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 19, 2024
Fetterman’s endorsement reflects a broader commitment to bipartisan cooperation on key issues like healthcare, even with someone he previously campaigned against.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Oz as his nominee to head CMS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CMS oversees vital programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which provide healthcare to millions of Americans.
“America is facing a healthcare crisis, and there may be no physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again,” Trump said in a statement.
Trump highlighted Oz’s experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon and his public presence as a health advocate.
The president-elect also noted that Oz would work closely with HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to tackle systemic healthcare issues, including chronic diseases and the so-called “illness industrial complex.”
Oz’s nomination has garnered bipartisan praise. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) lauded the decision, calling Oz “an excellent fit” for the role. “His medical background as a cardiothoracic surgeon and public health advocate makes him uniquely qualified for this position,” Paul tweeted.
Kennedy, tapped to lead HHS, also welcomed Oz to what he jokingly referred to as “The Avengers,” emphasizing the shared mission to improve America’s healthcare system.
“Very excited that my friend @DrOz has agreed to run CMS. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for this outstanding nomination,” Kennedy tweeted.
Oz, in a post on X, expressed gratitude for the nomination. “I look forward to serving my country to Make America Healthy Again under the leadership of HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr,” he wrote.
Oz’s appointment underscores Trump’s vision for reforming the healthcare system, with a focus on reducing chronic disease and addressing systemic inefficiencies. CMS, a critical agency in administering Medicare and Medicaid, will play a central role in these efforts.
As confirmation hearings approach, Oz’s nomination is expected to spark debate, but the bipartisan support from figures like Fetterman and Paul suggests a smoother path forward for the prominent physician and media personality.