WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- With time running out, President Bush announced his nominee to head the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Thursday.
Kerry Weams, deputy chief of staff to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, received Bush's nod less than 10 days before a statutory deadline.
Federal law prohibits a non-permanent head from holding the position for more than 210 days if there is no presidential nominee being considered. Acting administrator Leslie Norwalk took over for former administrator Mark McClellan on Oct. 15, 2006.
Weams "understands the large fiscal challenges facing Medicare and Medicaid and what it will take to strengthen and sustain those programs for the future," Leavitt said. "Further, he has been a leader in this department's efforts to accelerate adoption of health information technology and better financial management systems, which will be a valuable asset to CMS."
Bush's nominee must now be confirmed by the Senate.
The president also nominated Tevi Troy, currently deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy, to be Leavitt's deputy chief of staff.
