Health Care Industry

Bush Chooses Thomas A. Scully to Lead HCFA

Healthcare Financial Management, May, 2001

President Bush has nominated Thomas A. Scully, president and CEO, Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), to serve as HCFA administrator. Initial reaction from Capitol Hill and the healthcare industry to the nomination was positive. If Scully is confirmed, one of his immediate charges will be to address concerns from Bush and members of Congress about HCFA's operational efficiency.

Scully's six years at the helm of the 1,700-member FAH were a particularly challenging time for the healthcare industry as hospitals weathered payment cuts under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and came under increased pressure to protect patient privacy and reduce medical errors. Before his tenure with FAH, Scully worked in the George H. Bush administration, serving as associate director for human resources, veterans, and labor issues at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from 1989 to 1992 and as deputy assistant to the president and counselor to the director of OMB from 1992 to 1993.

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Richard L. Clarke, FHFMA, President and CEO of HFMA, commented, "With his broad experience and expertise, Tom is a great choice for this important post. I offer him my warm congratulations."

Scully would replace Acting Deputy Administrator Robert Berenson, MD. At the FAH, Laura Thevenot, Scully's current second-in-command, is slated to serve as acting CEO should Scully be confirmed and leave FAH. A brief White House announcement of Scully's nomination is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010322-9.html.> In a related note, on March 30, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson named Ruben Jose King-Shaw, Jr., to serve as HCFA deputy administrator. King-Shaw previously was secretary of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration. To read the HHS press release regarding the appointment of King-Shaw, go to http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/20010330.html.>