PIO Seema Verma closer to getting top US health job

A bitterly divided US Senate voted 54-44, mostly on party lines, to end the debate on her nomination. The final confirmation vote on Verma’s nomination has been scheduled for Monday evening, March 13. 

The Senate vote to end the debate came moments after the White House blamed Democratic lawmakers for blocking nomination for the top health care position. “She’s unquestionably and uniquely qualified for her position, and especially now that health reform is at the top of the President’s agenda, it’s time to get her in place. 

This delay by Senate Democrats at this critical time is unacceptable,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference. Verma, President, CEO and founder of SVC Inc., a national health policy consulting company, has worked for over 20 years in healthcare policy. She has redesigned Medicaid programs in several states. 

“She’s worked with governors’ offices, state Medicaid agencies, state health departments, state departments of insurance, as well as private companies,” Sean Spicer said. If confirmed, Seema Verma would be the second Indian-American to be in charge of a  top administration post, after Nikki Haley who is now the US Ambassador to the United Nations.