Speedy Confirmation of Marilyn Tavenner as CMS Administrator Urged

Tavenner, Acting Administrator since December 2011, Would Oversee Implementation of Key Provisions of Affordable Care Act

The White House has nominated Marilyn Tavenner, a nurse and hospital executive, as Administrator ofthe Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). Ms. Tavenner currently serves as Acting Administrator. The agency has not had a confirmed administrator since 2006. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, on the Tavenner nomination:

“President Obama has made a great choice in nominating Marilyn Tavenner to serve as Administrator of CMS, and I urge the Senate to promptly confirm this nomination.

“Marilyn has been a public health advocate throughout her entire career. And since December 2011, she has served skillfully as Acting Administrator, where she daily meets the challenges of overseeing the Medicaid and Medicare programs that provide health care to more than 100 million Americans.

“This success makes her exactly the right person to face the next round of challenges, overseeing the expansion of Medicaid and the establishment of state health insurance marketplaces (also known as exchanges), both of which are key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are being implemented this year.

“We urge a speedy confirmation of this nomination, which will greatly reinforce the ongoing effort to bring quality, affordable health care to millions of Americans.”

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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