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President-elect Donald Trump surprised many by picking Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, despite the doctor’s history of making dubious health claims. Oz has been endorsed by Trump and has a history of making questionable recommendations on his show, “The Dr. Oz Show.” Currently, Oz is a global advisor and stakeholder for the supplement brand iHerb, but he may have to divest from this position if confirmed.
Dr. Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC, has criticized Oz’s lack of experience in health policy and insurance for such a critical role. Oz’s show has been criticized for promoting health claims without scientific evidence, such as green coffee extract as a weight loss cure and raspberry ketone as a miracle fat burner. His claims about selenium, HCG, and cancer prevention have also been debunked.
Oz has denied conflicts of interest and selling products through his show, but he has faced scrutiny for claims like unsafe levels of arsenic in apple juice and lavender soap to ease restless leg syndrome. Despite these controversies, Trump’s transition team praised Oz’s qualifications as a heart surgeon and inventor and emphasized his commitment to promoting healthy living. However, his past statements and endorsements have raised concerns about his suitability for the role of overseeing healthcare programs for over 100 million Americans.
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