Howard N. Newman

Howard Neal Newman (1935 – May 7, 2011) was an American healthcare administrator, government official, attorney, and educator. He served as Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), from 1980 to 1981 during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. Earlier in his career, he served as Commissioner of the Medical Services Administration in the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, where he oversaw aspects of the federal Medicaid program. He later became the first president of the Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center and served as dean of the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.

Early life and education

Newman was born in New York City in 1935. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 and received a master of business administration from the institution's Tuck School of Business in 1957. He later earned a Master of Science in public health from Columbia University in 1959 and studied law at Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he received a Juris Doctor degree.

Early career

Newman began his career in hospital administration at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. He later joined Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, where he continued to work in hospital administration while pursuing legal studies.

Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration

Newman returned to federal service in July 1980 when he was appointed Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, succeeding Leonard D. Schaeffer. During his tenure, HCFA was responsible for administering the Medicare and Medicaid programs and overseeing implementation of federal healthcare financing policies. He served until January 1981, after which Carolyne K. Davis became Administrator under the Reagan administration.