President Bush has nominated Kerry N. Weems, a 24-year veteran of the Department of Health and Human Services, to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Currently, Weems is deputy chief of staff to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. Previously, Weems was acting assistant secretary for budget, technology, and finance and chief financial officer at HHS. Weems’ “wealth of experience as an advisor to several HHS secretaries and as a manager of large budgets and organizations will make him successful in the role,” says Leavitt. Weems would replace Leslie V. Norwalk, who has been CMS acting administrator since October 15, 2006—close to the statutory limit for a non-permanent occupant of the position. Weems’ nomination is subject to senate confirmation.
