Analyst who helped crafted health law leaves White House budget office

{mosads}Fontenot was also at the table to hammer out healthcare savings in recent budget debates, during which White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew — a former OMB director — fought to protect the Medicaid program from any cuts.

Lew, who is now Treasury secretary, attended Fontenot’s going-away party Friday, along with a host of other high-ranking healthcare and budget officials.

“I can’t thank Keith enough for all he has done for this Administration and the American people,” Zients said. “He is a strong leader and great public servant who we will all sorely miss.” 

Fontenot is heading to the Brookings Institution after a 30-year government career that included stints at OMB, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Congressional Budget Office and the Social Security Administration.