“The Obama administration strengthened an already-strong team that is making badly needed improvements to the quality and value of our health care when it nominated Andy Slavitt to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Mary Wakefield as deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday evening.

We have had the privilege of working closely with Slavitt, who has been doing a superb job as acting administrator of CMS. He did extraordinary work to ensure that HealthCare.gov works well for consumers, and made the second open enrollment period a tremendous success. He understands well the need to recognize patients and families as co-creators of their own health and of a health care system that better serves their needs. Slavitt’s experience in both the private and public sectors makes him an extremely effective leader, as does his rock-solid commitment to making our health care system more patient- and family-centered.

The American people have a lot at stake with these nominees, who are poised to improve health care in ways that will make a difference for every woman and family in this country. We urge the Senate to confirm these two highly qualified nominees quickly, without partisanship, rancor or drama.”