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Obama names a former nurse, hospital chain executive to head Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Kaiser Health News
Marilyn Tavenner, who has an extensive health background as a nurse, a health care official at both the state and federal level and a hospital chain executive, was tapped by President Barack Obama Wednesday to succeed Donald M. Berwick, MD, as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Tavenner, who is the agency’s principal deputy administrator, will serve on an acting basis as administrator during the confirmation process, according to an announcement to CMS staff.
Berwick was not confirmed by the Senate and instead got a recess appointment from Obama. His appointment expires Dec. 31 and he will be stepping down Dec. 2.
Tavenner has played a key role in overseeing Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. In remarks to the National Association of Medicaid Directors earlier this month, Tavenner shared her thoughts on how to control health care costs, themes that are very similar to ideas Berwick has expressed repeatedly throughout his tenure.
“The only way to stabilize costs without cutting benefits or provider fees is to improve care to those with the highest health care costs,” she said. Tavenner also said she opposed Republican efforts to turn Medicaid into a block grant that would limit the amount of federal funding states can receive for the program. “That approach would simply dump the problem on states and force them to dump patients, benefits or make provider cuts or all the above,” she said.
