On April 23, 2013, by a unanimous voice vote, the Senate Finance Committee approved the nomination of Marilyn Tavenner to serve as Administrator for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  CMS has been without a permanent administrator since Donald Berwick left the post in December 2011.

On April 9, 2013, the Senate Finance Committee held Ms. Tavenner’s nomination hearing, during which she received praise for her works as Acting CMS Administrator from both Democratic and Republican members of the Committee.  Following the hearing, Members of the Senate Finance Committee submitted written questions to Ms. Tavenner, who submitted a 113-page response to the committee last week.

Ms. Tavenner’s nomination now heads to the full Senate.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has yet to indicate when he plans to bring her nomination up for a vote.