Statement of Robert Restuccia, Executive Director Community Catalyst

“We applaud the Obama administration for putting forward such a well-qualified candidate to lead the office that ensures Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) deliver on the promise of providing provide millions of American families, adults and children a pathway to quality affordable health care.

“As Acting Director, Andy Slavitt has strengthened the Health Insurance Marketplace and vastly improved the 2014 enrollment process for consumers. His experience at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) coupled with his background in the health technology sector will be an asset as he continues to focus his efforts on enhancing the consumer experience with the health care system. Mr. Slavitt also brings the right mix of experience to spearhead the administration’s push to tackle the next phase of health reform—improvements in health care delivery, payment and quality. As a consumer health advocacy organization working in more than 40 states, we look forward to collaborating closely with Mr. Slavitt and CMS and bringing the perspective of state and local advocates as we work to make the health system more responsive to the needs of consumers.

“Andy Slavitt is the right person for the job, and we hope the Senate swiftly approves his nomination.” 

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.