Dr. Mehmet Oz secures crucial endorsement from Senator Josh Hawley for key Trump administration role after completely reversing his previous positions on transgender treatments for minors and abortion laws. As a result, he was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.
At a Glance
- Senator Josh Hawley voted to confirm Dr. Mehmet Oz as Trump’s CMS nominee after securing commitments on transgender care and abortion policies
- Dr. Oz disavowed his past support for transgender treatments for minors and pledged to end such practices
- Oz also walked back previous criticism of state pro-life laws and expressed support for the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision
- Hawley had initially questioned Oz’s suitability for the role based on his past statements and positions
Hawley’s Conservative Litmus Test
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has officially announced his support for Dr. Mehmet Oz’s nomination to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services after receiving firm commitments that Oz will adhere to conservative principles on transgender treatments and abortion policies. The Missouri Republican, known for his steadfast conservative positions, had initially expressed serious concerns about Oz’s past statements on these issues, demanding clear disavowal of previous stances before offering his endorsement.
Hawley’s scrutiny of Oz stemmed from the nominee’s history of discussing transgender medical procedures on his television platform and previous ambivalence on abortion restrictions. The Senator had pointedly questioned whether Oz would align with President Trump’s positions on these matters, which have become foundational conservative policies within the administration. In his initial critique, Hawley didn’t mince words about his concerns regarding Oz’s past positions.
Complete Reversal on Transgender Care
In a decisive shift that satisfied Hawley’s demands, Dr. Oz completely disavowed his past statements supporting transgender medical interventions for minors. This reversal directly addresses one of President Trump’s key healthcare priorities, as his administration has already indicated potential penalties for hospitals performing such procedures on minors. The CMS under Trump has issued warnings that institutions providing these services could face significant consequences.
“I see he’s praised transgender surgeries for minors and supported hormone treatments [and] puberty blockers for kids in the past. And has also criticized state laws protecting life,” said Josh Hawley.
Hawley’s influence in securing these commitments demonstrates the administration’s dedication to maintaining strict conservative positions on social issues among its appointees. The Senator has previously forced other nominees to clarify their stances on transgender care and abortion, including successfully securing similar commitments from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This pattern shows Hawley’s significant role in ensuring ideological alignment throughout Trump’s healthcare leadership team.
Pro-Life Commitments Secured
On abortion policy, Dr. Oz made equally significant concessions to gain Hawley’s support. The former television personality walked back his previous criticism of state-level pro-life laws and expressed full support for the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Furthermore, Oz pledged to enforce conscience protections for healthcare workers and end federal funding for abortion providers, a position that aligns with the Hyde Amendment restrictions the Trump administration fully supports.
“We are concerned about Dr. Oz in that vital role as he was an ambivalent supporter of human beings in the womb when running for the U.S. Senate,” stated Kristan Hawkins.
This reversal appears to have satisfied not only Hawley but potentially other conservative stakeholders who had expressed reservations about Oz’s nomination. The anti-abortion group Students for Life had initially voiced concerns about Oz’s suitability for the CMS role based on his previous positions. Now, with these clear commitments secured, the path to Oz’s confirmation seems much clearer as the full Senate vote approaches in the coming weeks.
Impact on Healthcare Policy
Dr. Oz’s confirmation as CMS leader would place him in charge of federal healthcare programs that serve over 150 million Americans through Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. His policy positions on transgender care and abortion will have far-reaching implications for how these programs operate under the Trump administration. The commitments secured by Hawley effectively ensure that CMS policies will align with conservative principles on these contentious issues.
“But many federal laws and regulations implicate life issues,” Hawley emphasized.
This development underscores the Trump administration’s broader approach to healthcare policy, which has prioritized traditional values and conservative positions on social issues. With Dr. Oz now firmly committed to these principles, his confirmation represents another step in the president’s efforts to reshape federal healthcare programs according to his vision. The White House has expressed full support for Oz’s confirmation, viewing his alignment with the president’s policies as essential for the role he will play in implementing Trump’s healthcare agenda.
