Jonathan Blum, CMS principal deputy administrator, announced he will be stepping down from his position on May 16.
Blum served as CMS director from 2009-2013. During his tenure, Blum oversaw regulation and payment for fee-for-service Medicare providers, which has faced increasing pressure from physicians and other stakeholders to reform the sustainable growth rate formula. He also oversaw major reform initiatives, including the Affordable Care Act, and was responsible for privately administered Medicare health plans and the Medicare prescription drug program.
According to an email by CMS administrator Marilyn Tavenner, under Blum’s tenure, Medicare per-capita cost growth has remained at its lowest sustained period and new benefits have been added to the program.
“Under Jon’s leadership, the Medicare program has served as one of our primary drivers to shift our health care system to reward quality, care improvements and value,” Tavenner stated.
