Still Waiting, and Meeting in the Executive Branch

No word yet on the Speaker's office, nor have I heard from Senate Finance.

I just met with Jennifer Boulanger (Deputy Director) and Allison Orris (Medicaid/CHIP Group) at the CMS Office of Legislation; she is very interested in the idea of having a Fellow to work with them on operationalizing the new legislation as it comes down the pike. They have space, and seem to understand the role of the fellow in their office; Ms. Boulanger is career CMS, with a strong focus on Medicare both here and in Baltimore; she spent the last 5 years working with J + J on Medicare D rules, and rejoined CMS in April. Ms. Orris was a fellow with the ASPE, and stayed as staff for 3 years, working with Peggy Hamburg, then law school, 2 years as a lobbyist/lawyer with Powell,Goldstein, then 3 years with Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, joining CMS in April as well.

They spend much of their time learning looking at how legislative language moves to regulatory language, helping Congress to understand what is possible, and what is not. They see themselves as advisors to the Administrator, are situated down the hall for the Office of the Administrator, and will interact with that person once they are appointed. They see their group as collegial and diverse. They want a fellow, who would develop his or her own portfolio, and think that there is more than enough work to go around.

Cubicle is large, place is quiet. Overheard one conversation with a Congressional office on impending language in long term care bill. Could be an interesting place to work. I am not sure that it would be enough of a big picture to be useful. It seems to me that this would be a bit of an "out of the way" placement for me, but they were nice people and they do seem to make a difference. I'll keep them on the list.

Meeting with the IOS on Friday. We will continue to see.