USA Trump wants to give TV doctor Oz important health post

With TV doctor Mehmet Oz, another TV personality is to join Donald Trump's new government team.

Oz is to become head of the Medicare and Medicaid healthcare systems, the US President-elect announced. They provide more than 100 million Americans with medical services. Medicare is for people over the age of 65. Medicaid covers at least part of the costs of treatment and medication for people with low incomes.

In the past, Oz had campaigned for more private benefits in the system. He made a name for himself as a heart surgeon and professor at Columbia University. As host of the "Dr. Oz Show", he was criticized for spreading controversial views on alternative medicine and paranormal abilities, among other things. During the coronavirus pandemic, he recommended untested treatment methods such as the use of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine on television - and got through to then President Trump.

In 2022, Oz was to win a Senate seat for the Republicans in the state of Pennsylvania. He was also supported by Trump during the election campaign, but clearly lost.

With Pete Hegseth as the candidate for Secretary of Defense and Sean Duffy, who is to become Secretary of Transportation, Trump has already nominated two presenters from the conservative Fox News channels that are popular with him for his administration. The 78-year-old Trump is due to be sworn in for his second term as president on January 20.

SDA