Citigroup exec Thurm returns to HHS

Kevin Thurm, a former official within HHS, is returning to the agency as a senior counselor.

HHS announced the move Wednesday. Thurm, 53, previously was second-in-command as the HHS deputy secretary from 1996 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton and former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala. Thurm also served as HHS chief of staff.

After leaving HHS, Thurm went to banking giant Citigroup, where he held several roles. Most recently, he was Citigroup's chief compliance officer and senior adviser for compliance.

In Thurm’s new role, he will report to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell and help the department “on a broad range of critical health and human services programs,” a spokeswoman said. No further details were given.

Thurm’s appointment is part of a string of new hires within HHS. Last month, Burwell named former Wal-Mart executive Leslie Dach a senior counselor. He will help with the second open-enrollment period for the health insurance exchanges. Jackie Cornell-Bechelli was named a regional director last week. She will oversee all health and social-service issues in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In July, Burwell also hired Andy Slavitt as the CMS’ principal deputy administrator—the second-highest position within CMS.

HHS is also in the process of recruiting a CEO and chief technology officer for the HealthCare.gov insurance exchange.

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