MCCLELLAN RESIGNS AS HEAD OF CMS
In the Bush administration's latest staff departure, CMS head Mark McClellan announced he will resign in early October, and said it was a "good time for a transition," with the agency's programs in a "fundamentally good position."
McClellan, during a conference call Sept. 5, said he did not know who was to be his replacement nor had he recommended anyone for the position, and referred questions along those lines to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt.
Recounting changes enacted since his arrival, McClellan said the CMS now has a new emphasis on preventative care and quality care. "We are shifting the focus and care coordination. That means providing personalized care and coverage to each of our beneficiaries like never before," he said in prepared remarks. Medicaid spending growth has also slowed to around 5 percent during the past year, down from double-digit spending five years ago, he said.
McClellan, who was confirmed administrator of the CMS March 2004 after two years service as FDA commissioner, said he is not sure of his long-term plans, but for now is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
When asked if he thought he could have done some things better during his tenure at the agency he said in retrospect that there are ways to do every program better, and for that reason it is important to have systems built in to collect feedback and to fix problems as they occur.
The CMS administrator came under fire earlier this year for problems during the implementation of the Part D drug benefit. Earlier this year, nearly 70 percent of the Democrats in the House demanded the CMS proactively notify low-income seniors of the extra assistance available to them under Medicare Part D.