You and your peers might have to wait even longer for a new CMS administrator if and when the Obama administration nominates someone to head the Medicare agency.
GOP senators have threatened to delay confirmation of HHS nominees if HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius does not remove a "gag order" on Medicare Advantage plans.
To recap: The health insurance company Humana sent its Medicare Advantage patients a letter updating them on the latest in health care reform in Washington. Humana said seniors risked losing benefits. Democrats have accused the Medicare Advantage plan of being political. CMS then said the letter might be "confusing" and "misleading" to patients, and instructed Humana to "end immediately all such mailings to beneficiaries and to remove any related materials directed to Medicare enrollees from your website."
GOP senators have rallied behind Humana. Republicans say the company's First Amendment rights are being violated. They introduced several amendments to Sen. Baucus' health care reform bill that would protect a private health insurance company's right to free speech. Those amendments ultimately failed.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has now issued a filibuster threat to Sebelius, stating "Until your department rescinds its gag order and allows seniors to receive information about matters before Congress, we will not consent to time agreements on the confirmation of any nominees to your department or associated agencies."
Never mind key administration positions, such as CMS administrator, have yet to be announced, but this could further delay appointments. The Democrats, however, now have a 60-senator majority in its caucus to overcome filibuster attempts.