A senior government official with almost unparalleled authority over the U.S. health care system is stepping down, ending a tenure that included one highly publicized, highly consequential failure on Obamacare as well as significant, if less heralded, successes.

Marilyn Tavenner will resign as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, effective at the end of February, officials in President Barack Obama’s administration told The Huffington Post. Andrew Slavitt, the agency’s second-ranking official, will take over in an acting capacity. An announcement is planned for Friday.

Tavenner is the latest high-profile resignation after the botched early implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The biggest change came at the top of the chain, when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius ended the second-longest tenure in the 62-year history of that cabinet position in June. Sylvia Mathews Burwell succeeded Sebelius, bringing her reputation as a seasoned manager to the position.

Like Burwell, Slavitt boasts a background in corporate management, which may aid his prospects for Senate confirmation should the president ultimately decide to nominate him for the top post. But any nominee would face a confirmation battle in a Senate newly controlled by Republicans more interested in derailing Obamacare than assuring a smooth transition of its leadership.

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