We're past mid-June and there's still no word on who will be President Barack Obama's CMS administrator. A look back at the previous administrations shows Obama is late when compared to his last two predecessors:
- President Clinton's appointee Bruce Vladeck took office in May 1993
- President Bush's appointee Thomas Scully took office in May 2001
A lobbyist told me this morning that he recently visited CMS and remarked that there was no talk of who will fill the position.
According to The Washington Post, there are 10 positions waiting to be filled at HHS -- including CMS administrator, surgeon general and general counsel -- with 10 positions either confirmed (four), nominated (five) or announced (one).