“It is good news for the country that, in a bipartisan vote, the Senate today confirmed Marilyn Tavenner to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). She has demonstrated impressive skill and tremendous dedication to improving the quality and coordination of health care during her service as acting administrator.

We are extremely pleased that the Senate recognized today that she is superbly qualified to continue in the post.

CMS oversees the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together provide health care to more than 100 million people. It is a crucial agency at this time when health care reform is being implemented, and the nation will be better off because Marilyn Tavenner will remain at its helm.

We hope the House will follow the Senate’s lead and put the best interests of the country above petty partisanship by abandoning its plan to vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act this week. We need lawmakers to work together if we are to successfully address the health-related challenges facing the country and achieve the triple aim of better patient care, better health outcomes, and lower costs.”