Confirmation Hearing for Seema Verma to Head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)

February 9th, the confirmation process for Seema Verma to become the head of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) began with a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Verma is a healthcare consultant from Indiana and worked closely with Vice-President Pence on Indiana’s H.I.P. 2.0 Medicaid program that was enacted while he was Governor.

While Democrats have raised concern over conflict between Verma’s private consultancy work and her public duties in Indiana, she is expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

During the hearing, Verma stated that she “does not support required vouchers in Medicare but does support increased state flexibility for Medicaid programs,” indicating that Medicaid programs modeled on Indiana’s H.I.P. 2.0 program will be supported by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid.

Click here to watch a recording of the hearing.

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