The Senate voted 91-7 on Wednesday afternoon confirmed Marilyn Tavenner as the chief of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the agency tasked with overseeing the two programs.
Tavenner, who has been the acting administrator of CMS, is the first person to be confirmed to the position by the Senate since 2006. Prior administrators have been appointed by the president on a temporary basis.
The American Medical Association and other health industry groups quickly released statements applauding the vote.
