Whoa-Medicare! "She received endorsements from senators on both sides of the aisle."

[babylonsister]

Why Republican senators like Obama’s Medicare nominee

Posted by Sarah Kliff on April 9, 2013 at 3:04 pm


For the first time in nearly a decade, the top spot at one of the federal government’s most important agencies is close to getting filled.

The Senate Finance Committee met Tuesday to consider the nomination of Marilyn Tavenner, President Obama’s pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

This is an agency with a budget of nearly $1 trillion. It oversees the entitlement programs largely seen as the biggest threat to the federal budget—not to mention the entire implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

The Medicare administrator position is considered so politically toxic that no one has even survived confirmation since 2006. The Senate Finance Committee passed on the opportunity to confirm Tavenner in 2011, when Obama first nominated her for the top spot—and when the health law was winding its way up to the Supreme Court.

This all makes Tavenner’s hearing Tuesday morning all the more surprising. She received endorsements from senators on both sides of the aisle. Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Tavenner was ready to “officially take the reins of CMS.” Ranking member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) described her as “up to the challenge” of running a massive agency with 5,800 employees.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/09/why-republican-senators-like-obamas-medicare-nominee/

[tularetom]

1. I don't know anything about her but this doesn't look good for Medicare

14 or 15 Senate republicans say they're gonna filibuster Obama's gun control bill but they're falling all over themselves to support his Medicare nominee that they turned down 2 years ago.

I'm not paranoid but I hope there wasn't some wink wink nudge nudge agreement between the President and the Senate to confirm this nominee in return for some slashing and burning of the fund later on.

Well maybe I am paranoid but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen that way.

[babylonsister]

2. Hey, I just threw it out there. I don't know what to think about it.

And I have more faith in the Prez than you do.