Seema Verma, President Donald Trump's pick for CMS administrator, is one step closer to confirmation following a full Senate vote Thursday, The Hill reports.
The vote was 54-44, although only a simple majority was needed, according to the article.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he believes Ms. Verma would be "invaluable" amid current efforts to change and replace the ACA, according to the report. Democrats opposing Ms. Verma's nomination have previously expressed dissatisfaction with her answers to their questions concerning Medicare and Medicaid, The Hill reports.
The Senate could consider her confirmation as early as Friday, according to the report.
Ms. Verma heads SVC, a national health policy consulting company based in Indianapolis. Her bio on the SVC website highlights her experience redesigning Medicaid programs, and specifically notes her role as architect of Indiana's version of Medicaid expansion.