Dems attempt to paint Dr. Oz as ‘snake oil’ salesman during hearing
Dr. Mehmet Oz faced intense scrutiny during a Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill for his promotion of unproven alternative health treatments, with one Democrat calling it the “most ludicrous wellness grifting” he had ever seen. Oz, who has been nominated by President Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, outlined his plans for potential reforms during the hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Finance.
Although Oz’s medical expertise was not widely questioned, his motivations were heavily criticized. Known as “America’s Doctor” thanks to his popular TV show, Oz has come under fire for endorsing questionable weight-loss solutions such as green coffee extract and raspberry ketones.
During the hearing, Sen. Maggie Hassan pressed Oz to admit that his promotion of supplements like green coffee extract for weight loss was fraudulent. While Oz acknowledged that green coffee extract is not a miracle weight-loss drug, he defended his promotion of it by stating that he never positioned it as such. When asked about his financial ties to these products, Oz claimed he received no payment for endorsing them.
However, Hassan pointed out press reports detailing the “Dr. Oz effect,” where sales of products he endorsed would skyrocket after being featured on his show. She accused Oz of being unwilling to take accountability for promoting “snake oil remedies.” Oz’s financial ties to numerous companies in the healthcare sector, including a significant investment in online supplement retailer iHerb, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
In an ethics filing submitted prior to the hearing, Oz disclosed his intent to divest from over 70 companies and investment funds that could pose conflicts of interest. This includes his substantial holdings in iHerb, which are valued at up to $25 million. As the potential head of CMS, Oz would have the authority to make decisions regarding coverage and reimbursement rates within federal healthcare programs, potentially influencing the coverage of supplements not currently included.
A committee vote to advance Oz’s nomination to the full Senate has not yet been scheduled. To be confirmed, Oz will need to secure at least 50 votes in the full Senate. Despite the controversy surrounding his past endorsements and financial connections, Oz remains a polarizing figure in the healthcare community as he navigates the confirmation process.
