Oregon's AMA Delegation Criticizes Handling of Dr. Oz Speech
January 16, 2026
On December 9, 2025, a group of the OMA's American Medical Association (AMA) delegates and members wrote a letter to the AMA Board of Trustees and Executive Team expressing concern over the organization's facilitation and promotion of a recent speech by Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The letter explains that the AMA's decision to host Dr. Oz at the House of Delegates meeting on November 17 was "problematic and divisive," citing late notice to delegates of his appearance and marketing that framed the event as collaboration with the administration rather than advocacy for AMA values. The letter contends these actions alienated physicians and undermined the AMA's mission to promote science-based medicine and public health.
Signatories criticized Dr. Oz's history of spreading misinformation and implementing policies harmful to patient care, noting that his remarks perpetuated barriers to care and contributed to public health crises. The letter calls on AMA leadership to "stand up and respectfully push back" against misinformation, emphasizing that engagement with policymakers should not come at the expense of core values.
"We can facilitate relationships and stand up for our values at the same time," the letter concludes.
A representative from the AMA's Board of Trustees sent the following response:
Thank you for your letter and for sharing your concerns. Respectfully, I want to offer a different perspective.
Our role as physician advocates and leaders demands that we engage with ideas and officials even when we may disagree. We have an obligation to analyze and listen to determine where we can work together. And we have an obligation to push back and ask tough questions — as your fellow delegates did. This type of exchange is an opportunity to open communications channels, advance conversations, and bring others closer to our position through advocacy.
I believe that hosting the CMS administrator at the House of Delegates directly aligns with the AMA mission, and I reject the notion that requiring decorum for an invited guest is a significant ask for physician leaders in a professional setting. The decisions and actions from CMS and Dr. Oz impact current and future Medicare payment policy, the burdens we face, and the viability of practices across the country. Whether we support or disagree with him personally, hearing from someone shaping the policies we work to influence is essential to effective advocacy.
For every email criticizing AMA leadership for inviting Dr. Oz to speak, I have received another thanking us for doing so. This contrast within our House reflects the same divisions we see in the broader country. Our responsibility is not to deepen these divides, but to demonstrate that physicians can model civil discourse, even when we disagree.
We are stronger when we listen, reflect, challenge, and stay engaged.
Ultimately, our strength as the House of Delegates lies in our diversity of thought and the professionalism we bring to difficult conversations. We do not have to agree, but we do have to respect the process, respect each other, and remain united in our common purpose to advocate for physicians and the patients we serve. If we lead with curiosity instead of fear, and with engagement instead of avoidance, we will continue to be a powerful, credible voice for organized medicine.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about this matter.