Turkish heart surgeon Oz begins role as Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Oz, who had previously received Senate confirmation, took his oath in the Oval Office at a ceremony attended by U.S. President Trump as well as Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy.

In his speech there, Trump spoke highly of Dr. Oz's life and achievements, stating that the U.S. is very fortunate to have such a career-driven and successful individual in the field of healthcare.

Trump said, "Dr. Oz comes to this role as one of the country's most talented and beloved medical experts. As CMS Director, Oz will work tirelessly to strengthen and protect Medicare for our nation's seniors and Medicaid for those in need."

Oz also expressed his happiness at being appointed to this position and at the prospect of providing direct healthcare services to a significant portion of the country's population.

Stating that Medicare and Medicaid have very important functions, Oz said, "Let me start with a simple premise; every great society has the opportunity to care for its most vulnerable, and it seizes that opportunity. We are a great society, and we will do the same."

Emphasizing that they have a serious responsibility as CMS, Mehmet Oz stated that they would prevent waste within the agency and cut unnecessary spending, but that existing payments, especially those related to the elderly and those in need of care, would continue as they are.

Pointing out that the U.S. ranks among the top in the world in per capita healthcare spending but does not receive full value for it, Oz stated that they would do their best to make the healthcare system function better by fixing many issues related to medical errors and insurance payments.

Oz said, "But despite all this, I am optimistic. Why? Because we control our destiny, because at our core, we have a generational opportunity and a unique talent to save the healthcare system."

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services oversees the operation of health insurance covering more than 1 trillion dollars in annual spending for 160 million Americans.

In the U.S., Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides healthcare services to seniors over the age of 65, while Medicaid includes a joint federal and state program that provides health insurance services to low-income groups.

Oz, who will manage the top institutions providing healthcare to the elderly and low-income groups in the country, became the first Turk to be appointed to this position.