Fetterman says he will vote to confirm former rival Dr. Oz if he wants to 'preserve Medicare'

Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman on Tuesday said he would vote to confirm his former rival Dr. Mehmet Oz as the next Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator if Oz protects the federal programs.

President-elect Donald Trump tapped Oz, a television personality, for the position on Tuesday, and said Oz would serve alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services last week. Both positions will need to be confirmed by the Senate, though CMS administrator is not a Cabinet position.

Fetterman, who defeated Oz for the Senate seat during the 2022 midterms, told a CNN reporter that he does have political differences with Oz, but that he does not hold anything against his former rival for running against him two years ago.

The senator also indicated that his support for Oz as CMS advisor is contingent on the heart surgeon saving the two healthcare programs.

"If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude," the senator posted to X in response to the interview. 

Oz has not commented on his plans for the two programs so far, but thanked Trump for the nomination and said he looked forward to "serving my country to Make America Healthy Again."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.