Senator Hawley Questions Dr. Oz’s Stances Amid Nomination Concerns
Background on the Nomination
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has expressed ongoing concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Mehmet Oz. Hawley’s apprehensions center on Oz’s previous positions related to transgender treatments for minors and abortion services.
Concerns Raised by Senator Hawley
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Hawley articulated his worries about Oz’s advocacy for transgender surgeries and hormone treatments for minors. He stated, “He hasn’t [answered my questions]. Which I think is strange,” referring to his previous inquiries sent to Oz earlier this month regarding these sensitive topics.
Seeking Clarification on Stances
Hawley hopes to hear that Oz has revised his views to align more closely with Trump’s emphasis on traditional values, stating, “I’d like to hear from him that he is in total alignment with President Trump, who has been tremendously strong on this.”
White House’s Response
A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, reiterated confidence in Dr. Oz, asserting, “Every member of the Trump administration is working from the same playbook, President Trump’s playbook, to restore commonsense policies.” The administration eagerly anticipates a prompt Senate confirmation for Oz to enable his contributions to health policy reform.
Dr. Oz’s Media History
Hawley pointed to past episodes of Oz’s television show that featured discussions on transgender issues. In a notable 2010 segment titled “Transgender Kids: Too Young to Decide?”, Oz hosted families of transgender minors who shared their journeys. This particular segment received praise from LGBTQ activist organization GLAAD for its representation.
Past Abortion Views
Beyond transgender issues, Dr. Oz has previously expressed concerns about restrictive abortion laws. In a 2019 interview on “The Breakfast Club”, he remarked, “It’s a hard issue for everybody,” reflecting his personal reservations while advocating against federal intervention in the matter during his Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.
Looking Ahead: Hawley’s Position
When asked whether he might support Oz’s confirmation despite not receiving answers to his inquiries, Hawley remained non-committal. He emphasized the importance of receiving clarity from Oz before making a decision, indicating a wait-and-see approach to the nomination process.
