Dr. Oz on Medicaid cuts: People should 'prove that you matter'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

06/05/25 11:33 AM ET


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 you 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.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5334508-dr-oz-medicaid-cuts-work-requirements/

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Says the man who owns 10 mansions around the world thanks to his wealthy wife's family.

[Autumn]

1. He should stroke out and die. Prove to me he matters.

[Karasu]

4. After all, we're all going to die. That's the Republican philosophy now (always has been, really)...so why fucking wait?

[creon]

11. OZ does not matter

OZ is just a useless mouth

[C_U_L8R]

2. The same old phantom fraud as 'welfare queens"

Republicans aren't just stupid, they are lazy. Can't even come up with a plausible scapegoat.

[Karasu]

3. "Prove that you matter" in the eyes of fascists, or you deserve no health care and should die.

Because "we're all going to die," after all.

Conservative philosophy, everyone.

[AZJonnie]

5. This fascist fuck's 'logic' is anything but logical. This man is supposedly a doctor?

He says "Lawmakers did not include work requirements because it “never dawned on anybody that able-bodied people who work would be on Medicaid.”"

So, what, this would imply that NOW: EVERYONE on Medicaid must have a job?

That makes no fucking sense. Dude would fail Critical Thinking 101. Perhaps what he trying to say was “(it) never dawned on anybody that able-bodied people wouldn't take a job". Which is also bullshit, but at least it resembles a logical argument.

[creon]

12. in name only

[duhneece]

6. Do they not know people in their friends and family orbit

…who are mentally or physically unable to work?
Are they that out of touch with the American population?
I know the answer: they don’t fucking care.

[SomedayKindaLove]

7. I must be missing something

Are they suggesting people in their 70s, 80s and 90s need to work 20 hours a week to get Medicare?

[thesquanderer]

14. I believe the work requirement is for those under 65; and it's for Medicaid, not Medicare. (n/t)

[OldBaldy1701E]

8. Okay...

Because your existence means nothing to me. And, since mine means nothing to you... I'd say we are at an impasse.

Excepting, of course, I am not one of the wealthy leeches who got rich off of the efforts of others... others who got the shaft as far as getting any real return on what they did for you. Plus, I am not an animal when it comes to being respectful of others. That is because my respect goes to people, not pieces of paper.

[Midnight Writer]

9. All Americans need to file a weekly e-mail listing five ways they Make America Great Again.

They can submit it to the MAGA Death Panel, where they will be evaluated by AI.

Any American not meeting basic standards will be sent to the dog food processing plant. And not to work.

[slightlv]

10. Hea... Dr. Oz.... yeah, you who sold fake cures

to people... prove that YOU matter. I have news for you. Health care is a right, not a privilege. And no matter what you and RFK say, junk cures and snake oil does not medicine make (most of the time). God these people are so stupendously arrogant. Just once before I die, I want someone, somehow, someway, to get through to them that their money doesn't make them worth anything. Ordinary people count. Ordinary people matter. Know why? Because we're human. That's all the reason needed, and it's a lot more than one could say for these arrogant nincompoops.

[Bengus81]

13. Go ask the 1.75 million veterans on Medicaid if THEY matter asshat

As if a TV huckster like you are suppose to matter?

[TheRickles]

15. 60% of people on Medicaid already work but don't get healthcare benefits through their low-paying jobs.

Another 10% are primary caregivers at home, and another chunk are too disabled to work.

https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/5-key-facts-about-medicaid-work-requirements/|

Those numbers totally undermine what Oz and others are trying to do.

[Hekate]

16. Dr Oz is disgusting

[patphil]

17. First Dr. Oz needs to prove that he matters.

From my point of view, he doesn't matter even one little bit.
This guy is a world class dildo.

[wolfie001]

18. Don't Judges determine if you qualify? At least with disability

Income levels, proving how much you have in assets (just about $0), children, illness. This guy was a stupid grifter 20 years ago and he hasn't changed one bit. Loves the limelight. Thanks Oprah, for this clown and Dr. Phil the Gasbag.

[LudwigPastorius]

19. I believe the phrase he's looking for...

is "Unnütze Esser".

He wants people to prove that they are not "Useless Eaters".

[cstanleytech]

20. Provide free childcare, higher education, job training and medical care for everyone and you'd see people get jobs.