Burwell taps Fitzpayne for chief of staff position

Alastair Fitzpayne has been named chief of staff to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Fitzpayne has been with the Treasury Department since 2009, where he currently serves as the agency's top congressional liaison.

“As chief of staff, he will manage the day-to-day operations of the Immediate Office of the Secretary and connect my office with the efforts going on across the department as we all work to deliver impact for the American people,” Burwell wrote in an e-mail to staff announcing the appointment.

The appointment fills a key post in what could prove to be a contentious time for Burwell and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. If Republicans win control of the Senate, they are expected to launch broad investigations into the administration's implementation of the ACA and seek to dismantle key pieces of the law.

Fitzpayne is replacing Andrea Palm, who is switching to a senior counselor position within the agency. Fitzpayne will join HHS next month.

Fitzpayne's resume includes working for then-Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and then-Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), who went on to serve as President Barack Obama's first chief of staff.

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