Dr. Oz thinks poor people on Medicaid just watch TV all day, and ignores that 92% are already working or caregiving.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has advocated for work requirements or similar conditions for Medicaid eligibility, implying that recipients should 'prove that you matter' by participating in work or caregiving activities. This stance has been widely reported and criticized because it appears to mischaracterize the current reality of Medicaid recipients.

According to data cited by the Kaiser Family Foundation and referenced in media coverage, approximately 92% of non-disabled adults on Medicaid are already working, actively seeking work, or providing caregiving. Therefore, the claim that poor people on Medicaid 'just watch TV all day' is a misrepresentation of the facts and ignores the substantial majority who are contributing through labor or caregiving roles.

Sources indicate Dr. Oz’s comments have sparked backlash for misunderstanding or oversimplifying the demographics and behaviors of Medicaid beneficiaries. While Dr. Oz’s position focuses on reforming Medicaid with work requirements, the evidence shows that most recipients already meet such criteria, making his implication misleading.