February 20,2004

Nomination of Mark McClellan as CMS Administrator

Nomination of Mark McClellan as CMS Administrator

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Reporters and Editors
Re: Nomination of Mark McClellan
Da: Friday, Feb. 20, 2004

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today made the following comment on President Bush’s nomination of U.S. Food and Drug Administration CommissionerMark McClellan to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If confirmed,McClellan will oversee the rollout of Medicare’s expanded benefits and prescription-drug coveragefor beneficiaries, the result of legislation Grassley shepherded through the Senate. The FinanceCommittee will consider McClellan’s nomination and decide whether to recommend him to the fullSenate for confirmation.

“CMS has more responsibility than ever before. We need a CMS leader who understandshow to do the job not just adequately, but very well. This position is so important, and I plan toschedule a nomination hearing in the Finance Committee as soon as possible after receiving thenomination paperwork from the White House. Dr. McClellan is well-regarded on Capitol Hill, andhis background and expertise make him a strong nominee.”