Leadership, Innovation, and the Future of Public Health: A Conversation with Dr. Mehmet Oz
On October 6, 2025, Public Health Grand Rounds at the Aspen Institute, an initiative of Health Medicine & Society, welcomed Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), for a wide-ranging conversation on the agency’s vision and priorities under his leadership. Interviewed by CNBC Senior Health Care Reporter Bertha Coombs, Dr. Oz reflected on CMS’s central role in expanding access, improving quality, and strengthening health outcomes for millions of Americans.
Drawing on his decades of experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon and educator, Dr. Oz described his transition from the operating room to public service as a continuation of the same mission: earning and upholding public trust. He emphasized the importance of transparency, compassion, and innovation in delivering care—and the power of partnership among government, industry, and communities to make health care more equitable and efficient.
The discussion touched on pressing issues from Affordable Care Act coverage and Medicare Advantage to rural health, workforce challenges, and the promise of artificial intelligence in improving care delivery. Throughout, Dr. Oz underscored that health policy is not only about systems, but also about people.
Watch the full conversation.