The new Biden administration has tapped Liz Richter to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on an interim basis during the presidential transition.
The agency’s website currently lists Richter, who has worked at CMS in various capacities since 1990, as acting administrator. She succeeds outgoing administrator Seema Verma, who on Wednesday resigned along with the rest of former President Trump’s appointed officials.
Verma submitted her resignation last week with an effective date of January 20, which is customary for political appointees ahead of a change of power in Washington.
Richter has served as the deputy director of the Center for Medicare since 2007, and has held a variety of roles during her three decades at CMS — including stints as director of the Financial Services Group and director of the Hospital and Ambulatory Policy Group in the Center for Medicare Management.
President Biden has nominated California attorney general Xavier Becerra to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, though he — along with the administration’s eventual pick for CMS chief — must be confirmed by the Senate before taking the helm.
Norris Cochran is currently acting as HHS chief, as he did during the first few months of the Trump transition.
