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CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz Briefs Members of the Media, Jun. 2, 2026

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Overview

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz briefed reporters on multiple administration initiatives focused on:

  • Prescription drug affordability
  • Medicare/Medicaid integrity
  • Public health preparedness

1) Drug pricing: “Most favored nation” + transparency site

Oz said the administration is addressing an “affordability crisis” by reducing U.S. drug prices relative to international prices, arguing that U.S. prices are about three times what similar drugs cost abroad (Europe/Asia).

Most-favored-nation strategy

  • Negotiations with the 17 largest branded pharmaceutical companies (covering 80%+ of branded pharma business).
  • The approach is described as most-favored-nation pricing, framed as requiring foreign pricing parity without government “price fixing.”

Estimated savings

  • The Council of Economic Advisers estimates about $600 billion in savings over 10 years.

Expanding TrumpRx.gov

To ensure savings reach patients, Oz announced an expansion of TrumpRx.gov:

  • Adding 160 more drugs to reach 750+ total
  • Claiming it helps “four out of five” Americans at participating drugstores confirm they are getting the best available price
  • Citing:
    • ~12 million unique visitors in the prior two weeks
    • ~$500 million in estimated savings (growing)

2) Medicare benefit change for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

Oz said that starting July 1, eligible Medicare beneficiaries for GLP-1 (weight-loss) products can obtain them for $50/month, compared with list prices above $1,000/month.

He argued GLP-1 drugs can prevent downstream conditions (including diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, heart disease, strokes, and dementia) if used “correctly and appropriately.”

He also suggested taxpayer savings may follow if prescriptions are used consistently and appropriately.

3) Fraud, waste, and abuse crackdown (and operational consequences)

Oz emphasized CMS’s role in stopping fraud, waste, and abuse through federal enforcement pathways involving:

  • Inspector General
  • FBI
  • DOJ
  • Treasury forensic accounting

He described Medicare/ID data misuse as enabling criminals to charge federal funds.

Example: Minnesota autism-related takedown

  • Alleged theft totaled tens of millions
  • Oz claimed Minnesota stopped non-emergency medical transportation due to inability to manage fraud
  • He said the program’s cost rose from ~$1M/year to $100M+/year before action
  • CMS allegedly deferred $350 million to Minnesota pending feedback

Example: California hospice suspensions

  • Oz claimed California accounts for about one-third of U.S. hospice providers (many concentrated around Los Angeles)
  • He said CMS suspended payments to 850 hospices, affecting nearly half in California
  • Oz asserted that after crackdowns, activity shifts to other states (e.g., Nevada, Arizona, Texas)

Home health / personal care services

  • Oz said fraud syndicates are “infiltrating” home health care in California
  • He argued personal care service attendant roles have become disproportionately common in California and New York, indicating weak safeguards

Moratorium on growth of certain sectors

When asked about a potential nationwide moratorium on durable medical equipment (DME), Oz said he would not rule out an extension.

He characterized the policy as temporary, intended to “slow growth” until guardrails are in place so reputable providers are not harmed.

4) Medicaid reforms: work requirements + tech modernization

Oz defended the administration’s work requirement rule, describing it as Congress-driven and intended to require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to:

  • work, volunteer, educate, or otherwise participate

He described it as echoing earlier welfare-era ideas.

He argued fraud and “legalized money laundering” drained Medicaid over time and said the working families tax cut helped address costs.

He also said CMS is working on Medicaid tech infrastructure (especially for states), criticizing outdated systems and pushing for cloud/data upgrades.

5) Immigration-linked eligibility and enforcement framing

Oz said CMS is tracking and restricting illegal immigrants from benefiting from Medicaid programs, including:

  • recoupments
  • conflicts with state administration (notably California)

He argued federal strategy depends on state-based Medicaid administration, and some states must align eligibility more closely with national rules.

A figure cited during the briefing claimed federal spending tied to illegal-immigrant recipients has doubled to about $2 billion.

6) Public health preparedness: Ebola quarantine facility dispute and traveler screening

Regarding Ebola logistics (including a dispute where Kenya allegedly blocked a U.S. quarantine facility), Oz said:

  • Proactive surveillance is run by NIH/CDC leadership
    • He named Jay Barsharia as leading the program
    • Dr. Heidi Overton and White House support were mentioned
  • The administration uses testing tools at major airports
  • It is working with Kenya through the State Department and other international partners (including mention of UK/Germany)

Oz argued it is better to avoid transporting exposed persons long distances when conditions are uncertain, invoking “golden hour” timing for treatment needs.

7) Political/media questions at the briefing

Oz addressed a series of media and policy questions, including:

  • COVID-era vaccine mandates: He said the administration seeks “gold standard science,” and urged states to use better evidence rather than ideology/fear (noting a Friday executive order).

  • Most favored nation codification legislation: He said contracts expire after the current administration and Congress should codify the framework to protect savings into the future.

  • Bill Pye / national intelligence and qualification concerns: Oz said it was “outside his lane,” and he lacked details beyond what reporters had.

  • President’s health checkups: Oz said the tests are routine and results are strong, tying the results to the president’s energy/acuity.

  • GLP “real deal” drugs: He said the $50/month GLP coverage would use “real” branded products, naming Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

  • Obamacare/ACA subsidy expiration consequences: Oz claimed enrollment and fraud increased after guardrails were removed, citing improper enrollment and “tens of billions” in waste, and said CMS is taking new steps to address fraud to protect affordability.

  • UFC conflict-of-interest question: Oz indicated he wasn’t aware of the investment decision mechanics and suggested others handle those decisions.

Presenters/Contributors (named)

  • Dr. Mehmet Oz — CMS Administrator; primary speaker
  • Todd Blanch — mentioned in fraud-response description
  • Scott Besson — mentioned in fraud-response description
  • Dan Brilman — mentioned regarding work requirement rule contributions (also referenced again)
  • Jay Barsharia — described as running the Ebola/NIH/CDC-linked program
  • Dr. Heidi Overton — mentioned as supporting Ebola program leadership
  • Cara Castanova — reporter questioner
  • Luke Rosak — mentioned as having reported investigations (not identified as a questioner)
  • Mary — reporter questioner (last name not provided)
  • Jennifer — reporter questioner (last name not provided)
  • Alina Shirazi — reporter questioner
  • Elizabeth — reporter questioner (last name not provided)
  • Jordan Conrad — reporter questioner (outlet mentioned)
  • Elliot Ness — referenced as an analogy; not a contributor
  • Marco — mentioned during other briefings (name not fully contextualized in the provided text)
  • JD — mentioned, though identification is unclear
  • Shelby — media/producer cue in subtitles (not identified further)

Note: Some subtitle lines contained unclear or garbled names. Only individuals explicitly named in the provided text are included here.

Original video