Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has taken steps to ensure Dr. Mehmet Oz aligns with former President Trump's positions following Dr. Oz's confirmation hearing in the Senate Finance Committee. The senator submitted a series of written questions to Dr. Oz, reflecting concerns about his ability to support Trump's agenda, particularly on transgender and pro-life policies.

Senator Hawley's questions addressed several topics related to Dr. Oz's past statements and actions. "On your television program, you hosted various transgender advocates as well as a surgeon who performed transgender surgery," Hawley noted, questioning if Dr. Oz's views have changed since then.

Another question focused on medical practices for minors: "In the past, you have said you did not want to 'interfere' with doctors prescribing puberty blockers for minor children. Is that still your position?"

Hawley also revisited Dr. Oz's 2019 comments on abortion laws: "You opposed state limitations on abortion related to fetal heartbeat by describing the baby’s heartbeat as 'little electrical exchanges in the cell that no one would hear or think about as a heart.' Is that still your position?"

Additionally, the senator sought clarification on remarks made by Dr. Oz regarding state pro-life laws: "When describing a state pro-life law in 2019, you predicted that the state would face a 'big sucking sound of businesses leaving.' Can you clarify your comments? As head of CMS, will you allow decisions to be influenced by corporate preferences?"

For those interested in more details, the full list of questions is available online.