May 16th, 2013 
John BuckMarilyn Tavenner was easily confirmed by the Senate Wednesday to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The 91-7 vote makes Tavenner the first confirmed CMS leader since 2006.
When Tavenner was first nominated in late 2011 she did not receive Senate confirmation. She succeeded former CMS administrator Dr. Donald Berwick, who announced his resignation in 2011 as Republicans in the Senate threatened to block his confirmation.
Many industry experts view Tavenner as a patient-centered pragmatist who is widely expected to continue with the agency’s reform work, and few observers believe she will make major changes from current policies. However, Tavenner, who brings about 20 years of nursing and 13 years in hospital management to the position, will likely continue to focus on the implications of policy decisions during this period of healthcare reform.
Prior to her first term, Tavenner had been serving as the agency’s second-in-command. Previously, Tavenner was secretary of the Virginia Health and Human Resources Department (HHS), where she was appointed by former Gov. Tim Kaine.
Tavenner’s advocates highlight her experience with patients, as well as in the boardroom and with the Virginia Legislature. As HHS secretary, she oversaw 12 agencies employing 18,000 people. Prior to her position there, she spent 25 years working for the for-profit Hospital Corporation of America, where she rose from staff nurse to president of outpatient services in one of the nation’s largest hospital chains. Tavenner holds a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of arts in health administration, both from the Virginia Commonwealth University.
Those who have worked with Tavenner and are familiar with her management style say she’s accessible and eager to hear all sides of an issue.
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Source: Medicare News Digest
