Dennis Smith Leaves Position as Director of Center for Medicaid and State Operations

Dennis Smith on Friday left his position as the director of CMS' Center for Medicaid and State Operations, which he had held for the past seven years, CQ HealthBeat reports. According to CQ HealthBeat, Smith -- who also briefly was acting administrator of CMS -- has been criticized for proposing Medicaid regulations that state governors and some lawmakers believe will reduce health care funding for low-income residents. He also received criticism regarding regulations that limit how states may expand coverage under SCHIP.

Acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said Smith has "played an invaluable part in shaping Medicaid policy to provide greater flexibility to states in administering their Medicaid programs effectively, to increase the overall efficiency of the Medicaid program and to remove barriers to community living for people with disabilities."

CMS Deputy Administrator Herb Kuhn will assume the role of acting director (CQ HealthBeat, 4/11).