The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons isn’t sold on the nomination of Marilyn Tavenner to CMS administrator and has expressed concern over Ms. Tavenner’s integrity, according to a statement released by the organization.
AAPS emphasizes Ms. Tavenner’s past work experience with organizations that underwent some type of legal problem. For instance, it points out she worked for 25 years as an RN and hospital CEO with Hospital Corporation of America, which was later charged with healthcare fraud in 2000 and 2003.
When Ms. Tavenner served as Virginia’s secretary of Health and Human Services from 2006-2010, AAPS said she “was allegedly complicit” when the state’s former Governor Tim Kaine wanted to close two children’s hospitals, a decision that was possibly motivated by a political donor’s interest in buying the facilities.
“Scrutiny of [Ms.] Tavenner should be no less intense than of [Dr.] Berwick,” Jane M. Orient, MD, executive director of AAPS, said in the news release. “Tavenner has served the largest for-profit operator of medical facilities in the world, and the gubernatorial administration of a strong Obama supporter and rising star in Democrat Party politics, neither of which has a sterling record of integrity.”
Related Articles on Marilyn Tavenner:
CMS Administrator Dr. Don Berwick Resigns
CMS Names Marilyn Tavenner Deputy Administrator
What Does 2012 Hold for Physician-Hospital Relationships?
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
