Senator halts Tavenner nomination to head CMS

Government Health IT: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) has put a halt to what appeared to be smooth sailing for Marilyn Tavenner to officially take the helm of the Medicare program. At a budget hearing Wednesday, Harkin said he wants answers on why funding for wellness is to be cut from the federal budget.

Harkin told the Associated Press earlier this week that he temporarily put a hold on the full Senate vote to approve Tavenner until an ongoing discussion is established on prevention funding. It is not clear when he would “lift” his hold, and his office failed to respond to inquiries from Healthcare IT News.

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