​The Senate has confirmed President Biden’s pick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) when it voted 55-44 to secure the nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on May 25.

In response, Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), said the long term and post-acute care profession is ready to work with the new CMS leader.

“We congratulate Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on her confirmation as CMS administrator. We look forward to working with her to ensure there is an open dialogue with all stakeholders about how to help long term care providers keep residents safe, while ensuring they receive the highest quality care,” he said.

Brooks-LaSure started her career as a program examiner and lead Medicaid analyst in the Office of Management and Budget and has also worked as a staff member for Democratic members of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

During the Obama administration she joined the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, where she managed policies related to the Affordable Care Act. Following the Obama second term, she became the managing director of the Health Division of national law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

Brooks-LaSure is the first Black woman to hold the position of CMS administrator.