Following a rocky start, the confirmation of Acting CMS Administrator
Marilyn Tavenner seems to be back on track this week. As NAHAM reported
last month, Tavenner’s confirmation was stalled when Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
placed a hold on it. A hold is a parliamentary procedure in the Senate that can
prevent a measure from coming to the floor for a vote.
Harkin did this over a directive that Tavenner signed in
March, channeling funds away from the healthcare reform’s Prevention and Public
Health Trust fund, and instead spending it on Outreach efforts.
ModernHealthcare.com reports
that Harkin is still upset, but that
he has no objections to Tavenner leading the CMS. Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid (D-NV) announced that he will bring the nomination up for a vote when the “Republicans
back off.” Sen. John Thune (R-SD) responded by saying that he wasn’t aware of
any massive opposition.
CMS has not had a Senate confirmed
administrator in seven years.
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