Senator Roger Marshall, US Senator for Kansas | Official U.S. House headshot
Senator Roger Marshall, US Senator for Kansas | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, took part in the confirmation hearing for Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator. The hearing was held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.
Dr. Oz, renowned as a heart surgeon, could become the first physician to lead CMS in over ten years. His career includes earning a joint M.D.-MBA degree, inventing life-saving devices, hosting a television show, and impacting millions of patients nationwide.
During the hearing, Senator Marshall questioned Dr. Oz about his motivations for entering medicine and notable career experiences. Dr. Oz explained that there is no greater joy than supporting patients emotionally while providing care: “I think it’s why I went into medicine,” he said.
Senator Marshall expressed concern about America's health challenges and their impact on Medicare and Medicaid sustainability: “There’s not enough sick care out there to save Medicare and Medicaid.” He asked Dr. Oz for his strategy to improve public health.
Dr. Oz proposed simplifying health decisions and incentivizing patients: “If people don’t feel like it matters what they do... then they’re not going to take proactive steps,” he stated.
On maternal care issues, Senator Marshall noted that suicide and fentanyl overdoses are leading causes of death among new mothers: "We don’t need to study it more," he remarked, emphasizing the need for action on prenatal care access and stopping fentanyl flow.
Regarding financial incentives in healthcare, Senator Marshall sought Dr. Oz's perspective on price tags and health savings accounts as tools to empower patients as consumers again.
Dr. Oz suggested exploring new uses for health savings accounts: “Maybe they should be part of your estate... It would incentivize behaviors even at the end of life.”
Senator Marshall concluded with a statement highlighting their shared goal: “We’re not going to save Medicare and Medicaid unless we Make America Healthy Again.”
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