Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) on Tuesday made an about-face on Marilyn Tavenner's nomination for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator. He is removing his hold and allowing the full Senate vote to proceed, the Des Moines Register reports.
While Harkin decided to lift his block on President Obama's nominee to lead CMS, the Iowa senator remains upset about the cuts to the healthcare law's Public Health and Prevention Fund, the article notes.
"Every expert acknowledges that we will never reduce healthcare costs or have a healthier and more productive society until we focus on prevention," Harkin said during a Senate floor speech. "However, I have no choice but to conclude that, when it comes to prevention, this administration just doesn't get it." Article