Sen. Carper Statement on CMS Administrator Tavenner’s Resignation

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement reacting to the resignation of Administrator Marilyn Tavenner from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).

“Administrator Tavenner is a strong leader and I am sad to see her leave a critical agency in our federal government, but I am also very thankful for her service in this role over the last five years. I can’t imagine a more challenging time to lead this agency – we undertook the largest overhaul of our country’s health care system in the last 50 years – and her dedication never wavered. The launch of Healthcare.gov was difficult, but Administrator Tavenner was tirelessly committed to correcting the course and helping millions of uninsured Americans get affordable health care coverage, many for the first time in their lives.

“Administrator Tavenner also shares my passion for reducing waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid. I applaud her efforts to focus on preventing fraud before it occurs and taking a much more proactive approach to getting results. I am also thrilled that bending the health care cost curve has been a hallmark of her tenure at the agency. In implementing many of the reforms enacted in the Affordable Care Act, Administrator Tavenner has often found ways for our government to do more or better for less money. The historically low growth in Medicare costs since the law’s passage is proof of that.

“I thank Marilyn for her service to our country and wish her and her family the very best.  While she will be tremendously difficult to replace, I have great confidence in President Obama and Secretary Burwell to find an excellent candidate to lead this important agency.”