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Small changes to daily habits could dramatically lower health care costs in the U.S., according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Speaking in a recent interview on New York’s WABC-AM, Oz said Americans don't need extreme lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes and reduce the financial strain on the country's health system.
How Health Habits Affect National Health Costs
The longtime heart surgeon said the solution can be surprisingly simple.
“If we get the average person right now walking around New York to eat a little better today and just walk 10, 15 minutes a day, that saves us a ton of money,” Oz said. “And you’re healthy enough to watch your grandkids graduate from high school.”
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Oz argued that improving Americans' everyday habits could significantly reduce the long-term cost of programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
He said preventive health changes, including better nutrition and moderate daily activity, could lower the number of chronic diseases that drive much of the nation's medical spending.
Health experts say preventive care is increasingly becoming a priority as Americans look for ways to stay healthier and avoid expensive medical treatments later in life. Wellness centers focused on preventative health — including organizations like Valley Center Wellness — often emphasize nutrition, movement and long-term lifestyle strategies designed to address risk factors early and help patients maintain better health as they age.
“The way we win the battle on health expenses in America, the way we make it more affordable is to get healthier as a people,” Oz told WABC-AM.
He also emphasized that many doctors historically received little training in nutrition, which has affected how patients are advised about diet.
“Unfortunately, most doctors aren’t taught nutrition,” he said. “We think if we didn’t learn it in medical school, it can’t be important. So we don’t teach it to our patients.”
He said medical schools are beginning to address that gap, adding that more nutrition education could result in better long-term public health outcomes.
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Medicaid Spending And State Costs
Oz also pointed to rising Medicaid costs in some states, arguing that waste and abuse inside the system drive significant spending.
He singled out New York as one example.
“In New York State, per resident of the state, New York State is so much more expensive than any other state, 80% more than the national average,” Oz told WABC-AM. “We’re spending hundreds of billions of dollars on things in America that are fraudulent or wasteful or abusive to the system.”
He said some programs have expanded in ways that blur the line between health care assistance and job creation.
Personal care services, which include helping patients with everyday activities such as household tasks or mobility, have grown rapidly in New York.
“The entire state’s No. 1 job is personal care services,” Oz said. “It’s not retail anymore.”
Oz suggested some of those services cover tasks families previously handled themselves, which can increase costs when Medicaid pays for them.
“You’re basically paying people to do things they would have done anyway,” he said.
He argued that programs must be protected from abuse so they remain sustainable for people who truly rely on them.
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Fraud And Technology In Health Programs
Oz also discussed the financial pressure on federal health programs, saying fraud and waste cost taxpayers enormous sums each year.
“Every year we’re losing a hundred billion dollars in Medicare, Medicaid,” Oz said.
He argued that new artificial intelligence tools could make it easier to detect suspicious billing patterns and fraudulent claims, potentially saving large amounts of money.
“If we can just take the fraud out of Medicare, the trust fund doubles in life expectancy. Doubles,” Oz told WABC-AM.
Still, Oz said improving public health remains one of the most powerful tools available to control health spending.
Small everyday habits, he said, could make a major difference.
“Skip the dessert, eat real food, and don’t make it too hard,” Oz said.
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This article Dr. Oz Says Small Lifestyle Changes Could Save 'A Ton Of Money' In Healthcare Costs. Just Eat Better And Walk 10 To 15 Minutes A Day originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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