What’s the Latest on Key HHS Appointments?

While most of the Biden Administration’s Cabinet positions have been confirmed, delays persist with filling positions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Below, we offer a quick update on key positions:

• The full Senate vote on Xavier Becerra’s nomination for Secretary of HHS was delayed by a tied vote in the Senate Finance Committee. The tie on whether to send his nomination to the floor will require an additional four hours of debate and a motion to discharge his nomination from the committee to the full floor. Despite this roadblock, Becerra is still expected to be confirmed once his nomination makes it to the floor.

• Vikki Wachino is rumored to be a top contender for Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Director. The Director position, which does not require a Senate hearing, would serve under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator. The nominee for CMS Administrator is Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, though a date for her hearing has not yet been announced. Vikki Wachino previously held the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Director position under the Obama administration, and ran her own consulting business when President Obama’s term ended. ANCOR has consulted with her on a range of issues, including alternative payment models. At this time, the rumors on her frontrunner status have not been officially confirmed.