Republican frustrated at lack of answers on gender issues, abortion from Dr. Oz
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has expressed lingering concerns about President Donald Trump’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nominee, Dr. Mehmet Oz, particularly regarding his past stances on transgender treatments for minors and abortion. Hawley stated that he had submitted a number of questions to Oz on these subjects earlier in the month, but had not received responses.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Hawley emphasized his worries about Oz’s history of “promoting transgender surgeries for minors, promoting transgender hormone treatments and puberty blockers for minors.” He also highlighted Oz’s use of his television platform to showcase individuals who advocate for transgender treatments, especially for minors.
One notable instance was a segment on Oz’s show in 2010 titled “Transgender Kids: Too Young to Decide?” where he featured transgender children and their families discussing their experiences. This segment was praised by LGBTQ activist group GLAAD as “groundbreaking.”
Additionally, Oz has voiced his support for abortion rights in the past. In a 2019 interview on “The Breakfast Club,” he expressed concern about state laws restricting abortion and stated that while he personally did not like abortion, he believed it was not his place to interfere with others’ decisions.
During his Senate campaign in Pennsylvania in 2022, Oz reiterated his stance on abortion, emphasizing his belief in decentralized decision-making and opposition to federal government involvement in the issue.
Hawley raised these concerns about Oz’s past positions and actions, questioning whether the nominee aligns with President Trump’s strong stance on these issues. Despite not receiving responses from Oz to his inquiries, Hawley expressed hope that Oz would address these concerns and clarify his current views.
In response to Hawley’s concerns, White House spokesman Kush Desai emphasized that every member of the Trump administration is working towards common goals outlined by President Trump. Desai expressed confidence in Oz’s ability to contribute to the administration’s efforts to improve healthcare policies.
As the confirmation process for Dr. Oz continues, Hawley refrained from stating whether he would vote to confirm him without receiving answers to his questions. He underscored the importance of Oz addressing these issues and providing clarity on his positions.
Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leads coverage of the U.S. Senate. With a background in political reporting at the Washington Examiner, Johnson continues to monitor and report on developments in the Senate. Follow her reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and share tips at Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
