CMS Administrator Don Berwick, MD, has declined a request from Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) to provide a list people who donated to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, which Dr. Berwick headed before his CMS appointment, according to the Hill.
In a letter to Sen. Grassley, Dr. Berwick wrote, "it is not in my power to comply" with the request for tax forms related to IHI funding. The requested 990 schedule Bs are "non-public documents in the possession of my now-former employer," he said, adding there is no reason for concern. "I have no financial interest in IHI," he wrote. "Likewise, I also have no financial interest in IHI's clients or donors."
That explanation did not satisfy Sen. Grassley. The absence of official documentation leaves "a question mark over his organization's financial dealings," the senator said in a statement. "The reason for seeking key donor information by correspondence is Dr. Berwick was recess-appointed without even a committee hearing, which would have looked at his organization’s funding and identified possible conflicts of interest in his control of the nation’s healthcare programs."
Read the Hill Report on Don Berwick, MD.
Read Sen. Grassley's statement on Don Berwick, MD.
Read more coverage on Dr. Don Berwick:
- CMS Chief Could Face Hearings Despite Recess Appointment
- Berwick to Become CMS Administrator Without Senate Confirmation
- Proposed ACO Rules Expected in December, With Dr. Berwick's Personal Input
In a letter to Sen. Grassley, Dr. Berwick wrote, "it is not in my power to comply" with the request for tax forms related to IHI funding. The requested 990 schedule Bs are "non-public documents in the possession of my now-former employer," he said, adding there is no reason for concern. "I have no financial interest in IHI," he wrote. "Likewise, I also have no financial interest in IHI's clients or donors."
That explanation did not satisfy Sen. Grassley. The absence of official documentation leaves "a question mark over his organization's financial dealings," the senator said in a statement. "The reason for seeking key donor information by correspondence is Dr. Berwick was recess-appointed without even a committee hearing, which would have looked at his organization’s funding and identified possible conflicts of interest in his control of the nation’s healthcare programs."
Read the Hill Report on Don Berwick, MD.
Read Sen. Grassley's statement on Don Berwick, MD.
Read more coverage on Dr. Don Berwick:
- CMS Chief Could Face Hearings Despite Recess Appointment
- Berwick to Become CMS Administrator Without Senate Confirmation
- Proposed ACO Rules Expected in December, With Dr. Berwick's Personal Input