Dr. Oz Vows to Keep Medicare Drug Price Talks Alive

Dr. Mehmet Oz has pledged to carry forward Medicare drug price negotiations launched under President Biden as he seeks confirmation to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The former TV surgeon made the promise during a tense Senate hearing where he faced questions on his plans for the massive health program. His stance keeps alive a push to lower costs for seniors despite expected resistance from drugmakers.

Oz told lawmakers he backs letting Medicare haggle directly with pharma giants over prescription prices. He called it a common-sense way to ease the burden on older Americans stuck with sky-high bills. The Biden team started the talks in 2023 targeting 10 big-name drugs with more to come if the policy holds.

Drug companies hate the idea and have sued to kill it arguing it cuts into their bottom line. They say price controls could dry up cash for researching new cures down the road. Oz brushed off those fears saying competition can still thrive even if Medicare flexes its muscle as a buyer.

The doctor’s nod to Biden’s plan surprised some who pegged him as a full-on Trump loyalist. He paired it with calls to slash waste and fraud in Medicare to free up funds without raising taxes. That mix of ideas could win over moderates while keeping conservatives on board for his confirmation.

Seniors groups applauded Oz for sticking with the price talks they’ve demanded for years. Many retirees shell out hundreds monthly for pills they can’t skip to stay alive. Lower costs could mean more cash for rent or groceries instead of choosing between medicine and basics.

Oz isn’t all rosy on government meddling though. He hinted at tweaking the talks to give drugmakers more say in final prices if they prove value. That could soften the blow for an industry already bracing for leaner profits under his watch.

Confirmation isn’t a lock yet with Democrats grilling him on past TV health claims. They worry he might favor flashy fixes over hard data in running a 1.3 trillion dollar agency. Oz countered he’s ready to lean on science and real-world results to lead not just charisma.

If he gets the job Oz will steer Medicare through choppy waters as costs soar and politics rage. His pledge on drug prices sets a firm line he’ll have to walk amid pressure from all sides. It’s a test of whether he can turn campaign promises into action for millions counting on relief.