The White House has re-nominated Don Berwick, MD, as head of CMS, but he is certain to face tough questioning by Republicans in upcoming Senate hearings, according to a report by Politico.
Many Republicans are still angry the administration used a recess appointment, not requiring Senate hearings, to bring in Dr. Berwick last July, and they haven't forgotten his comments in support of rationing and Britain's centralized healthcare system. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, called the re-nomination "a disappointing decision."
However, the administration had to shepherd Dr. Berwick through the re-nomination process this year because the recess appointment would have expired by year's end. The CMS administrator will have to appear in hearings before the Finance Committee and face confirmation by the full Senate, which is still controlled by Democrats.
Read the Politico report on Dr. Berwick's re-nomination.
Read more coverage of Dr. Berwick:
- Berwick, White House Holding Meetings with Stakeholders on Reform Law
- Berwick Calls for Permanent Fee Fix in First Appearance Before Congress
- GOP Lawmakers Prepare to Grill CMS Administrator Don Berwick
Many Republicans are still angry the administration used a recess appointment, not requiring Senate hearings, to bring in Dr. Berwick last July, and they haven't forgotten his comments in support of rationing and Britain's centralized healthcare system. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, called the re-nomination "a disappointing decision."
However, the administration had to shepherd Dr. Berwick through the re-nomination process this year because the recess appointment would have expired by year's end. The CMS administrator will have to appear in hearings before the Finance Committee and face confirmation by the full Senate, which is still controlled by Democrats.
Read the Politico report on Dr. Berwick's re-nomination.
Read more coverage of Dr. Berwick:
- Berwick, White House Holding Meetings with Stakeholders on Reform Law
- Berwick Calls for Permanent Fee Fix in First Appearance Before Congress
- GOP Lawmakers Prepare to Grill CMS Administrator Don Berwick