President Obama has asked the US Senate to confirm Andy Slavitt as Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Slavitt joined CMS in 2014 after serving as Vice President of UnitedHealth Group Inc., a company hired to fix the problems and turmoil surrounding the launch of the HealthCare.gov website, and has been acting administrator since the resignation of Marilyn Tavenner earlier this year.
Senate Finance Chairman Orin Hatch (R-UT) has said that Slavitt will have to answer questions regarding his work at UnitedHealth and possible conflicts of interest.
Dr. Mary Wakefield, acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was also nominated to be confirmed in her position. Wakefield previously ran the Health Resources and Services Administration.