Trump Medicaid chief Oz defends GOP’s reforms for rural hospitals
A top Trump White House official is pushing back against Senate Democrats’ claims that the GOP’s plan to reform Medicaid would harm rural hospitals. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz argued that the reforms would actually benefit rural hospitals, not hurt them.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Oz criticized what he called “misleading talking points” being pushed by special interests to oppose the healthcare reforms. He emphasized that the proposed changes are the most ambitious healthcare reforms ever attempted.
The Senate Majority Leader, John Thune, and Senate Republicans are working to finalize President Donald Trump’s healthcare bill before a self-imposed July 4 deadline. The bill includes measures to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid, such as work requirements and removing illegal immigrants from benefit rolls.
One contentious issue in the bill is the Medicaid provider tax rate, which has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats warned that changes to the tax rate could harm over 300 rural hospitals. However, Dr. Oz disputed this claim, stating that only 5% of inpatient Medicaid spending occurs in rural communities.
Dr. Oz emphasized that the bill targets abuses by large hospitals with well-connected lobbyists, rather than benefiting wealthier urban areas. He highlighted the importance of preserving access to care in rural communities through investments in technology, infrastructure, and workforce support.
Despite concerns raised by Democrats and some Republicans, Dr. Oz and the Trump-aligned Paragon Health Institute dismissed claims that the reforms would lead to the closure of rural hospitals. They criticized reports from special interest groups and healthcare lobbyists for spreading misinformation about the impact of the proposed changes.
As the Senate Finance Committee works on finalizing the bill, Sen. Susan Collins is exploring a possible amendment to create a provider relief fund. This fund could address concerns about the Medicaid provider tax rate and alleviate fears about the potential impact on rural hospitals.
Overall, Dr. Oz and supporters of the healthcare reforms are confident that the changes will benefit rural hospitals and improve access to care in underserved communities. They remain committed to advancing the most comprehensive healthcare reforms in recent history.
