CMS Observers Say Tavenner Will Bring Changes In Style Not Substance

Although she might not share outgoing Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Chief Donald Berwick's "visionary zeal," she is expected to share in his agenda. And, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor terms her as "eminently qualified" to take on this role.   

Politico Pro: No Big Changes Expected From Tavenner
When Marilyn Tavenner takes over CMS on Dec. 2, agency observers are expecting a change of style, but not of substance. Those who have worked with Tavenner or watched CMS in action say she doesn't exude the same visionary zeal as outgoing administrator Don Berwick, but that doesn't mean she doesn't share his agenda. Though she may have "a different personality than Don ... she's as committed as him to seeing health care delivery improve and that Medicare and Medicaid are buying value for beneficiaries," said Federation of American Hospitals President Chip Kahn, who has known Tavenner since her days as an executive at HCA (Federer, 11/30).

The Hill: Cantor Praises Obama's Pick For Key Health Care Post
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor supports President Obama's nominee for a key healthcare position, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. The Virginia Republican told the AP that Marilyn Tavenner is "eminently qualified" to lead the agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid. The White House announced her nomination last week. "I would hope to be able to support her," Cantor said. "Obviously, I'm not in the Senate, so I don't have that vote, but I do think she is qualified. Obviously, she'll be working for a president with an agenda that's quite different from mine" (Baker, 11/29).

The Associated Press: Obama's Medicare Nominee Gets GOP Leader's Support
President Barack Obama's Medicare nominee Tuesday got unexpected support from one of Congress' Republican stars. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor told The Associated Press that Marilyn Tavenner is "eminently qualified" to run Medicare. It may be too soon to contemplate a truce in the political wars over health care. With Tavenner, major players on both sides may be able to shift from confrontation to problem-solving (Alonso-Zalidvar, 11/29).