Dr. Donald Berwick was sworn in Monday as CMS administrator, the first permanent administrator since 2006.
Berwick, who served as president and CEO of the Institute for Health Care Improvement and as a Harvard University professor, was installed in the post last week via a recess appointment by President Barack Obama.
In using the recess appointment, President Obama said that implementation of the health care reform legislation was too important to be delayed by the Senate confirmation process.
"It's unfortunate that at a time when our nation is facing enormous challenges, many in Congress have decided to delay critical nominations for political purposes," President Obama said in a statement announcing the appointment.
Berwick is the first permanent CMS administrator since 2006. As a recess appointment, Berwick will serve until the close of the 111th Congress. He would then have to be re-nominated and confirmed by the Senate.
While receiving broad support from the health care community, Senate Republicans had voiced displeasure at Berwick’s nomination. At least one Democrat, Max Baucus (D-MT) was disappointed that senators would not get the chance to question the nominee.