Daniel Levinson, the HHS Inspector General (IG), tendered his resignation to President Donald Trump on April 2, effective May 31. Mr. Levinson was the longest serving HHS-IG and under his leadership, the watchdog managed a wide array of oversight, including checks on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The HHS-OIG is the largest inspector general office among federal agencies helping to police over 200 HHS programs as well as the massive Medicare and Medicaid programs. The current Principal Deputy Inspector General Joanne Chiedi will become the acting IG on June 1.
Undoubtedly the next HHS-IG appointee will be a staunch advocate of fraud and abuse enforcement, and likely will have years of government audit or enforcement experience, as was the case with previous HHS IGs. It remains to be seen, however, if the appointee will also have private industry experience and will bring to bear deep knowledge of an evolving healthcare delivery system.
President Trump has appointed and the Senate confirmed six new IGs. With HHS operating many critical federal programs identified as being at high risk of waste, fraud, and abuse, the appointment of a new HHS-IG should be a priority, though IG vacancies are not uncommon under this administration (with seven open IG positions at present).