Dive Brief:
- Andrew Slavitt, who has been filling in as CMS administrator since Marilyn Tavenner stepped down in February, has been permanently nominated to the position by President Barrack Obama.
- US Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), has warned that the nomination will receive "thorough consideration" before being confirmed by the Senate.
- Slavitt's previous ties to the Healthcare.gov insurance marketplace have made him a target for GOP leaders.
Dive Insight:
As CMS administrator, Slavitt would be tasked with oversight of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, payment and delivery reform, healthcare fraud and improving health outcomes. McConnell made it clear in a statement that Slavitt's sole focus as CMS administrator should be on Medicare and Medicaid, "without the distraction of Obamacare."
"The head of the agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid should be focused on what the American people expect him to do: administer these important programs, not allow his attention to be diverted instead to the implementation of some gigantic, unworkable healthcare law that hurts hardworking Americans," McConnell said. "While Andy Slavitt’s nomination will receive thorough consideration in the Senate, it has long been clear that no one can successfully manage a law as unworkable as Obamacare.”
American Hospital Association CEO Rich Umbdenstock commended the nomination, as did Chip Kahn, CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals. "We believe Andy's proven leadership in the public and private sectors speaks to the ongoing contributions he will make at CMS," Umbdendstock told Modern Healthcare.
Kahn urged the Senate to "act swiftly to confirm Mr. Slavitt as the next CMS administrator so that America's critical healthcare programs will have the true benefit of a strong and experienced leader."