Don Berwick, MD, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has announced his resignation just before his term as administrator of the agency was due to expire, according to a Boston Globe report.
Dr. Berwick, a pediatrician and professor at Harvard Medical School, has been a key figure in the implementation of President Obama's healthcare reform law. Although he has received high praise from the medical community and lawmakers from both sides, Dr. Berwick has also been the subject of criticism in a firestorm of politics over the contentious reform law.
In fact, more than 40 Republican senators banded together in an effort to block his confirmation as head of CMS in 2010. Their urging forced President Obama to use a recess appointment to temporarily install Dr. Berwick into office. Dr. Berwick's temporary appointment is scheduled to end at the end of this year.
President Obama has already announced his intent to nominate Marilyn Tavenner as Dr. Berwick's successor. Ms. Tavenner has served as principal deputy administrator of CMS since Feb. 2010 and as acting administrator of CMS from Feb.-July 2010. Prior to joining CMS, Ms. Tavenner was the state of Virginia's Secretary of Health and Human Resources in the administration of former Governor Tim Kaine.
Dr. Berwick, a pediatrician and professor at Harvard Medical School, has been a key figure in the implementation of President Obama's healthcare reform law. Although he has received high praise from the medical community and lawmakers from both sides, Dr. Berwick has also been the subject of criticism in a firestorm of politics over the contentious reform law.
In fact, more than 40 Republican senators banded together in an effort to block his confirmation as head of CMS in 2010. Their urging forced President Obama to use a recess appointment to temporarily install Dr. Berwick into office. Dr. Berwick's temporary appointment is scheduled to end at the end of this year.
President Obama has already announced his intent to nominate Marilyn Tavenner as Dr. Berwick's successor. Ms. Tavenner has served as principal deputy administrator of CMS since Feb. 2010 and as acting administrator of CMS from Feb.-July 2010. Prior to joining CMS, Ms. Tavenner was the state of Virginia's Secretary of Health and Human Resources in the administration of former Governor Tim Kaine.
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