Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz defended President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” over criticism that millions of people could lose health coverage, saying those who would face new work requirements should “prove that they matter.”
Oz made the comments during an interview Wednesday on Fox Business, arguing that when Medicaid was created in the 1960s lawmakers did not include work requirements because it “never dawned on anybody that able-bodied people who work would be on Medicaid.”
“We’re asking that able-bodied individuals who are able to go back to work at least try to get a job or at least volunteer or take care of loved-one who needs help or go back to school,” he said. “Do something that shows you have agency over your future.”
If Americans are willing to do that, he added, they should be able to be enrolled or stay enrolled in Medicaid.
“But if you are not willing to do those things, we are going to ask you to do something else. Go on the exchange, or get a job and get onto regular commercial insurance. But we are not going to continue to pay for Medicaid for those audiences.”
“Go out there, do entry-level jobs, get into the workforce, prove that you matter. Get agency into your own life,” he added. “It’s a much more enjoyable experience if you go through life thinking you are in control of your destiny and you will get better insurance at the same time.”
Close to 11 million people would lose health insurance coverage if the House Republican tax bill passes in the Senate, mainly due to cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, according to analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
Trump’s sprawling agenda bill calls for trillions of dollars’ worth of tax cuts, with offsets from sweeping cuts to federal benefit programs, primarily Medicaid.
The bill would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $793 billion, according to an analysis from health care policy nonprofit KFF.
Most of those savings stem from new work requirements for adults trying to enroll in the public health insurance program and more frequent eligibility checks.
The bill calls for states to impose work requirements for childless adults between the ages of 19 and 64, with some exceptions, to be eligible for Medicaid.
Adults would be required to work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month beginning in December 2026 to qualify for the public health insurance program.
Many Trump allies in Congress have sought to downplay the impact of the Medicaid reforms, denying it will reduce access to the program. Meanwhile, several Senate Republicans have raised alarm over Medicaid cuts.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought recently told CNN’s Dana Bash that concerns over the bill are “ridiculous.”
“This bill will preserve and protect the programs, the social safety net, but it will make it much more common sense,” he said. “No one will lose coverage as a result of the bill.”
Democrats have pushed hard against the proposed cuts, while GOP senators such as Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine) and Josh Hawley (Mo.) have pushed for changes to the bill passed by the House last month.
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