Tavenner renominated to head CMS

The Obama administration on Thursday renominated Marilyn Tavenner to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Tavenner was first nominated for the position in November 2011, replacing Donald Berwick, President Obama’s initial appointment, and has served as acting administrator since then. Her second nomination was not unexpected as her first nomination expired at the end of the previous Congressional session.

The question remains whether Senate Democrats will vote to confirm Tavenner as a Medicare head has not been confirmed under recent Republican and Democratic administrations.

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released a statement supporting Tavenner’s nomination and urged swift confirmation by the Senate.

“Having Marilyn Tavenner at the helm of CMS over the past year has helped strengthen and encourage our pursuit toward enhanced quality care,” said AHCA/NCAL president and CEO Mark Parkinson, in a statement. “We commend the White House for recognizing that Ms. Tavenner is a qualified and exemplary leader in health care, and encourage the Senate to move forward on her confirmation quickly. The CMS Administrator is too important a position to leave open, and Ms. Tavenner is the right leader for the job."

Patricia Sheehan

Patricia Sheehan was Editor in Chief of I Advance Senior Care / Long Term Living from 2010-2013. She is now manager, communications at Nestlé USA.