DR. MEHMET OZ TOURS ATLANTIC CITY, OUTLINES VISION FOR ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Dr. Mehmet Oz, recently confirmed as the nation’s administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, toured Atlantic City and its AtlantiCare medical facilities Friday, July 18, as part of a broader effort to engage with health-care providers and discuss challenges facing economically disadvantaged communities. Dr. Oz, appointed in April by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate in a 53-45 vote, brings experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon and former university medical center leader to the nation’s largest public health insurance agency. Tasked with overseeing Medicare and Medicaid for over 160 million Americans, Dr. Oz has set an agenda focused on improving health outcomes, promoting prevention, wellness, and empowering providers, while combating fraud and abuse in federal health programs.
During the visit, Dr. Oz toured the AtlantiCare Federally Qualified Health Center, which serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. He noted the significant barriers facing low-income residents, stating that the nation’s health-care system forces some families to choose between basic necessities and needed medical care.
At a private roundtable hosted by AtlantiCare with bipartisan congressional leaders, health system executives, and policy experts, Dr. Oz discussed the importance of addressing social determinants of health such as housing, education, income, and food security. He highlighted the federal government’s new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, included in the most recent spending bill, which aims to strengthen medical infrastructure, train health professionals, and expand access in underserved communities.
Dr. Oz encouraged governors to apply for these federal funds and stressed the importance of local programs, such as the ongoing partnership between AtlantiCare and Stockton University, which is currently involved in nurse training. He framed the current health-care crisis as an opportunity to drive positive, systemic change. Local leaders acknowledged Dr. Oz’s commitment to confronting regulatory challenges and workforce shortages to improve health care both regionally and nationwide.