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Oz's 'Healthier' Advice Sparks Outrage Amid Rising Costs
21 Nov
Summary
- Health insurance premiums are rising significantly for 2026 plans.
- Dr. Mehmet Oz suggested being healthier to lower healthcare expenses.
- Critics argue Oz's advice is simplistic and ignores systemic issues.
Americans are facing escalating health insurance costs for 2026, with premiums on state exchanges surging by approximately 30% and employer-sponsored plans seeing a 6-7% average increase. As budgets are strained by rising expenses for essentials like groceries and housing, a recent suggestion from Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has drawn sharp criticism.
During a Fox News appearance, Oz stated that obesity accounts for "probably a quarter of all healthcare expenses" and advised, "So if you really want to drop the cost of healthcare in America, get healthier." This statement has been met with backlash, as obesity-related healthcare costs are estimated at $173 billion annually, a fraction of the $4.9 trillion total US healthcare spending in 2023, according to official figures.
Many individuals have shared personal experiences highlighting the complexity of health, emphasizing that illness can occur despite healthy habits. They argue that Oz's advice is out of touch, failing to account for unforeseen accidents, the significant costs associated with childbirth, and the multifaceted nature of health beyond individual control, leading some to dismiss it as unhelpful.
