Four things to know:
1. Politico reported March 29 that CMS Administrator Seema Verma spends millions on Republican-connected consultants “who write her speeches, polish her brand and travel with her across the country.”
2. The consultants reportedly received subcontracts through a $2.25 million contract with Porter Novelli, an international public relations firm. Subcontractors include Pam Stevens, a longtime Republican media adviser; Marcus Barlow, Ms. Verma’s longtime ally; and Nahigian Strategies, a full-service strategic communications and public relations firm in Washington, D.C.
3. After the Politico report came out, House and Senate Democratic committee leaders wrote a letter March 29 requesting that the HHS Office of Inspector General probe whether Ms. Verma stuck to federal regulations and ethics requirements in her agency’s awarding of contracts.
4. HHS on April 3 told congressional committees the contracts are being suspended as HHS conducts an independent review and its inspector general office conducts an audit, people with knowledge of the situation told Politico.
Access the Politico report here.
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