WASHINGTON -- Dorcas Hardy, assistant HHS secretary, heads the list of possible choices to head the Social Security Administration, administration officials said Friday.
Officials said Hardy, 38, who served as assistant secretary of the California Health Department when President Reagan was governor, is a 'front runner' among the people being considered for the position.
She would replace Martha McSteen, a career employee who has been with the agency since 1947 and who has been its acting head for 16 months.
Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret Heckler promoted McSteen to be acting commissioner 16 months ago, and according to the Washington Post had wanted her to serve on a permanent basis.
Hardy, a conservative, reportedly agrees with Reagan's views on the need to cut some funding for social programs.
