Denies by Donald Berwick recess appointment was the GOP political points

Donald Berwick was appointed by President Obama to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) when Congress is in recess. Berwick’s recess appointment means that politicians didn't get an possibility to weigh in once more on the health care reform bill that passed earlier this year. The administration explains that the recess appointment of Berwick helps move heath care reform along without Republican obstruction. Republicans think it is just an attempt at hurting Berwick's record. Berwick, who’s a professor at Harvard Medical School is being vilified by Republicans although he has the support of virtually the entire health care industry.

Article source: Donald Berwick recess appointment denies GOP political points by Personal Money Store

Donald Berwick will lead the Medicare overhaul
Donald Berwick’s recess appointment happened because the White House thinks that the new health care reform law calls for huge changes in Medicare and Medicaid, which insure nearly one-third of all Americans. Dan Pfeiffer, the White House communications director, explained to the New York Times the president decided to act because “many Republicans in Congress have made it clear in recent weeks that they were going to stall the nomination as long as they could, solely to score political points.”

Backed by Bush appointees is Berwick

Donald Berwick was nominated in April to lead the CMS. Since October 2006, the agency didn't have a permanent administrator. It was reported by the Washington Post that Berwick is the perfect choice to oversee a Medicare/Medicaid budget of $800 billion — about one-third of all health-care spending. He is recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on improving health care quality when saving money. Two CMS administrators which were appointed by George W. Bush back the nomination, also as the American Hospital Association, the AARP, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and a long list of local medical groups.

Bypassed is republican obstruction

Republicans want to use Donald Berwick’s nomination to whip up partisan furor over “Obamacare.” According to the Associated Press, Republicans, who use “rationing” as a code word to discredit health care reform, have seized on comments like one Berwick made to an interviewer last year: “The decision is not whether or not we will ration care, the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open. And right now, we are doing it blindly.” Berwick also drew Republican anger for praising Britain’s National Health Service.

Revisited is health care rationing

The Post reports that include Pat Roberts of Kansas are trying to twist these statements. ”Dr. Berwick is the perfect nominee for a president whose aim has always been to save money by rationing health care,” Mr. Roberts stated on the Senate floor last month. The Associated Press article explained when it comes to the rationing issue; Republicans argue that Berwick would deny needed care based on cost. Supporters argue rationing already is done by insurance companies, and Berwick wants transparency and accountability in medical decisions.

Citations:

New York Times

thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/obama-bypassing-congress-on-medicare-job/

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/28/AR2010062804675.html

Associated Press

hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_HEALTH_CARE_APPOINTMENT?SITE=WNYC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT