Molly Peltzman, STS Advocacy
2 min read
All Members Advocacy
Key Points
  • Former STS member and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz has been confirmed as CMS Administrator.  
  • Dr. Oz contributed to the development of the MitraClip, gaining experience with the regulatory process for breakthrough technologies.
  • STS will engage with Dr. Oz to advocate for our policy priorities. 
     

Mehmet Oz, MD, has been confirmed as the new Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As a cardiothoracic surgeon with a strong background in medical innovation, Dr. Oz will oversee policies that impact Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as physicians, hospitals, and healthcare providers across the country. The medical community will be closely monitoring his leadership in this important role.

A former member of STS, Dr. Oz has made significant contributions to the field of cardiothoracic surgery. During his time as a member, he served as an editor for The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, contributing to the advancement of surgical knowledge and practice. Additionally, Dr. Oz has a notable history in medical device development; he was involved in the early work on MitraClip, a transcatheter mitral valve repair device. This experience gave him insight into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and CMS regulatory pathways.  His expertise could be invaluable in his new position, especially in aligning Medicare coverage with innovative medical advancements that have undergone FDA review.

Beyond his surgical career, Dr. Oz gained fame as a television personality. He frequently appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show as a health expert, which led to the creation of The Dr. Oz Show. During his time on television, he faced criticism for promoting weight-loss products and alternative medicine. In 2021, Dr. Oz secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania but ultimately lost to Sen. John Fetterman.

Though Dr. Oz has had a varied career, we are optimistic that his experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon will positively shape his policies at CMS. STS is committed to proactively engaging with Dr. Oz to advocate for policies that support high-quality, evidence-based care for cardiothoracic surgery patients.

UPDATE: As part of this effort, STS Advocacy recently submitted a letter to Dr. Oz outlining a select list of the Society’s top policy priorities.