Obama nominates Andy Slavitt to run CMS

Indiana Andy Slavitt, the acting administrator of this very Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which actually regulates the Obamacare nursing plan, has actually been nominated as head of this very agency, the White House said on Thursday. However, hospitals that administer hip or knee replacements will be held accountable for the quality and costs of care for the entire episode of care, notes a CMS announcement.

Hatch, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, said yesterday Slavitt would have to address OptumInsight/QSSI’s relationship with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as he goes through the Senate’s confirmation process. Not all Congressional leaders are convinced that CMS can handle the major responsibilities of overseeing Medicare and Medicaid while shouldering the burden of the still-disputed ACA under Slavitt’s leadership.

He added, “The sole focus of CMS should be to look out for our nation’s seniors and the many vulnerable Americans who use these programs, without the distraction of Obamacare”.

CMS oversees healthcare programs for the elderly, disabled and poor as well as elements of the Obamacare healthcare program.

Some members have raised concerns over the nomination as it has been said that Slavitt has ties with the troubled HealthCare.gov insurance marketplace. “As such, he will be expected to demonstrate that he is up to the challenge and capable of successfully leading the agency through the monumental tasks that lie ahead”.

The Obama administration is proposing bundled payments for these common joint replacements that inject more financial risk, and reward, for participating hospitals. UnitedHealth agreed to pay $350 million to reimburse patients and providers for insufficient payments under a settlement with New York State. The group stated that Slavitt has played an important role in looking after the second open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act. He’s served as acting administrator since this past March, after Marilyn Tavenner stepped down from the post.

“For a position that has such a significant impact on so many Americans, I would be disappointed to see Mr. Slavitt’s nomination held hostage for the sake of political grandstanding over the ACA – the indisputable law of the land”, Wyden said.

At the time, Slavitt worked for UnitedHealth’s Optum division that contributed to the website.