Health policy wonks across the U.S. are cheering the appointment of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to the top job running the country’s public health insurance programs.
Her agency – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is responsible for insuring over 150 million people through the country’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together account for $1 trillion (yup, TRILLION 💰💰💰) in annual federal spending.
Ms. Brooks-LaSure makes history as the first Black woman to lead CMS. 💥
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Brooks-LaSure had pioneered a successful career as a health care consultant and policymaker, serving both federal and state health agencies. Her top priorities for CMS include:
➡️ Increasing affordability of health insurance coverage for low-income populations
➡️ Ensuring equitable access to high-quality health care
➡️ Shoring up the Medicare program’s financial solvency, which took a hit during last year’s economic downturn
We’re sending Ms. Brooks-LaSure a Nerdy Girl shero salute as she embarks on her historic tenure leading CMS!
Love,
Your Nerdy Girls
IMAGE CREDIT: Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images
References:
NPR (in conjunction with Kaiser Health News): “Expanding Health Coverage is Top Priority for New Head of Medicare/Medicaid.” (includes image credited above)
https://www.npr.org/…/expanding-health-coverage-is-top…
HealthCareDive: “Senate Confirms Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as Head of CMS.”
https://www.healthcaredive.com/…/senate…/600302/
Self: “4 Things to Know About Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the First Black Woman to Head Medicaid: Where She Stands on Health Equity, Maternal Health, and More.”
https://www.self.com/story/chiquita-brooks-lasure-confirmed
