As GOP leadership pushes to pass President Trump’s tax megabill this week, one administration official has been working hard behind the scenes to close the deal: Mehmet Oz, who oversees Medicare and Medicaid.
House Republicans, including those on the fence about the bill’s deep cuts to Medicaid, left a meeting at the White House on Wednesday with the president and heart-surgeon-turned-TV-personality Oz with a bit more optimism about the bill’s passage, despite some continued holdups over Medicaid and rural health.
“A number of concerns about Medicaid were substantially mitigated,” Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), who chairs the Main Street Caucus, a group of Republicans who refer to themselves as pragmatic, told reporters following the White House meeting.
The presence of Mehmet Oz, a well-known figure in the medical field, seemed to have a calming effect on some lawmakers who were hesitant about the proposed changes to Medicaid. Oz’s expertise and background as a heart surgeon brought a sense of credibility to the discussions surrounding healthcare policy.
Despite the progress made during the meeting, there are still some lingering concerns over Medicaid and its impact on vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas. The proposed cuts to Medicaid have raised questions about access to healthcare for low-income individuals and families.
As the debate over the tax megabill continues, it is clear that Mehmet Oz’s involvement has played a significant role in shaping the discussion around healthcare policy. His unique perspective as both a healthcare professional and a television personality has helped bridge the gap between lawmakers and the general public.
Overall, the efforts of Mehmet Oz and other key officials involved in the negotiations demonstrate the complexity and importance of healthcare policy in the broader tax reform debate. With the support of influential figures like Oz, there is hope for finding a balanced solution that addresses the needs of all Americans.
