A dramatic moment unfolded at the White House on Friday when a young girl, identified as a family member of Dr. Mehmet Oz, fainted near the Resolute Desk during his swearing-in ceremony. President Donald Trump was speaking at the time when Dr. Oz immediately stepped in to assist. The girl quickly recovered, according to officials.
The ceremony marked Dr. Oz’s official appointment as the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, following his Senate confirmation on April 3. Administered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the event signaled a new chapter for federal healthcare leadership, with Oz now overseeing nearly $1.5 trillion in programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
In his remarks, Dr. Oz introduced his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, pledging to shift focus toward preventive care. “Healthy people don’t consume healthcare resources,” he said, adding that reducing the need for medication by improving wellness is key to lowering healthcare costs.
He also vowed to modernize both Medicare and Medicaid, emphasizing the importance of giving both patients and doctors better tools to navigate the system. “Empowered patients and providers are essential to delivering the care Americans deserve,” he noted.
Another top priority for Oz is tackling fraud and abuse within the system, aiming to strengthen oversight and ensure that resources reach those who truly need them.
Known for his background in medicine and media, Dr. Oz brings a high-profile presence to the agency, with a promise to reshape healthcare delivery through innovation, efficiency, and accountability.