In a 53-45 vote along party lines, the Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Oz, a physician and former television personality, will lead the federal agency responsible for providing health insurance to more than 160 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Earlier on Thursday, the Senate voted to approve a cloture motion to end debate over Oz's nomination and to proceed with the vote.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Oz takes the helm of CMS amid a political divide surrounding potential Medicaid budget cuts, hikes to ACA premiums if tax subsidies are not extended and the controversial appointment of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
This week, RFK Jr. began a sweeping overhaul of HHS that included cutting roughly 20,000 jobs through layoffs, early retirement and voluntary separation offers.
Oz has not said yet whether he would oppose such cuts to the government-funded program, according to AP. Oz did say during a Senate Finance Committee hearing last month that he supported work requirements for Medicaid recipients.
The Senate Finance Committee in March advanced Oz's nomination in a 14 to 13 vote.
At that hearing, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, pressed Oz on whether he would make cuts to the Medicaid program without getting a firm "yes" or "no" answer.
This week, a Senate amendment to a House budget resolution left unchanged the instruction for the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut a minimum of $880 billion in spending. The majority of the cuts are expected to come from Medicaid.
THE LARGER TREND: REACTION
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries face higher costs and reduced benefits after two straight years of cuts to the program, said Mary Beth Donahue, president and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance.
"It's critical that Medicare Advantage is adequately funded to ensure seniors continue receiving the care they need," Donahue said, congratulating Dr. Oz on his confirmation as CMS Administrator. "His background as a physician and wellness advocate aligns with Medicare Advantage's mission to deliver high-value, patient-focused care and makes him well-suited to take on this important role."
Nick Westfall, chairman and CEO of VITAS Healthcare, an end-of-life care provider, said the organization looks forward to collaborating with Oz and CMS to advance policies for hospice care.
"Hospice plays a vital role in Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that patients receive compassionate, patient-centered care while also reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and costs," Westfall said. "The Medicare Hospice Benefit enhances quality of life in a patient's final months while delivering significant savings to the healthcare system."
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org