President Bush has nominated Kerry Weems as the new acting administrator and deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Although the nomination is currently pending approval in the Senate, the Health and Human Services (HHS) chairman, Michael Leavitt, said that he looked forward to the Senate action on Weems’ appointment making it permanent. Leavitt stated that Weems has served HHS for nearly 25 years, which allows him to understand many budget management and organization constrictions.

According to Leavitt, Weems understands the large fiscal challenges facing CMS and what it will take to strengthen and sustain those programs for the future.