CMS names Tavenner principal deputy administrator

The American Health Care Association Wednesday praised the appointment of Marilyn Tavenner as principal deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

“Ms. Tavenner's longstanding history as an accessible and effective leader demonstrates her commitment to the issues impacting the long term and post-acute care community and the 3.2 million elderly and disabled patients we care for annually,” said Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA, in a statement.

Since 2006, Tavenner has served as secretary of health and human resources for the state of Virginia. She has also been a hospital administrator. CMS has not yet filled its top spot of administrator. Charlene Frizzera is the acting administrator.