January 21, 2021 – President Joe Biden has picked Norris Cochran as acting secretary of HHS and Elizabeth Richter as acting administrator of CMS, according to agency websites.
Richter and Cochran will serve in their acting roles until the Senate confirms permanent heads for CMS and HHS.
President Biden has chosen Xavier Becerra, California’s attorney general, as his nominee for HHS secretary. He has not yet named his pick for CMS administrator.
Richter joined the agency in 1990 and has served as CMS’ deputy center director since 2007.
Mr. Cochran, HHS deputy assistant secretary of budget, is serving as acting HHS secretary for the second time. He also served as acting secretary in 2017.