Dr. Mehmet Oz
Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Mehmet Cengiz Oz was born in June 1960 in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and an M.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. As a dual citizen of Turkey and the United States, Oz completed mandatory military training in the Turkish Army.
Oz was a surgical resident at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He became a professor of surgery at the university and retired to professor emeritus in 2018. He co-founded a cardiac care center to provide alternative medicine to patients with heart disease. Oz hosted a television program on the Discovery Channel and made regular appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Winfrey produced The Dr. Oz Show for 13 seasons.
Oz ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate seat to represent Pennsylvania in 2022.
President Trump nominated Oz to be the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in November 2024. He was confirmed by the Senate and sworn into office in April 2025.
Oz is married to Lisa Lemole, and they have 4 children. He is Muslim.
In the News…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has urged states not to use Medicaid funding for gender reassignment treatments or surgeries for minors.
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said last month, “My top priority is protecting children and upholding the law.”
“Medicaid dollars are not to be used for gender reassignment surgeries or hormone treatments in minors—procedures that can cause permanent, irreversible harm, including sterilization,” he continued. “We have a duty to ensure medical care is lawful, necessary, and truly in the best interests of patients.”
CMS sent a letter to state Medicaid agencies to ensure program payments are “consistent with quality of care,” highlighting that cross-sex hormones and surgery can cause “long-term and irreparable harm.”
At least ten states are considering legislation to prohibit Medicaid funding for transgender treatments for adults or children.
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Administrator Oz? You can let him know at:
The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244
