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CMS deputy administrator Blum leaving
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Principal Deputy Administrator Jonathan Blum, who has met with kidney advocacy groups and given talks at nephrology meetings about ESRD regulatory issues, is leaving the Obama administration after more than five years on the job.
CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced Blum's resignation, effective May 16, in an e-mail to staff.
“Under Jon's leadership, the Medicare program has served as one of our primary drivers to shift our healthcare system to reward quality, care improvement and value,” Tavenner wrote. “The Medicare team's accomplishments are too many to list, but include developing the ACO regulations, implementing our quality framework for Medicare Advantage plans, implementing our competitive bidding program for durable medical supplies, and developing many of our value-based payment strategies.” In addition. Blum helped oversee the release earlier this month of detailed Medicare payment data for 880,000 physicians.
Blum was the Obama administration's first political appointee to the CMS in March 2009. Before that he worked on Medicare issues at the Office of Management and Budget. -by Mark Neumann