At the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's annual conference yesterday, Don Berwick, MD, former head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reflected on the state of healthcare, personal regrets and the healthcare reform law two weeks after announcing his resignation from the top CMS post, according to a Boston Globe report.
Dr. Berwick announced his resignation just before his term as administrator of the agency was due to expire. More than 40 Republican senators worked to block his confirmation as head of CMS in 2010, forcing President Obama to use a recess appointment to temporarily install Dr. Berwick into office. Dr. Berwick's temporary appointment was scheduled to end at the end of this year.
At the IHI conference, Dr. Berwick said his regret is not having a confirmation hearing as CMS head because it would have given him a chance to defend the healthcare reform law. Dr. Berwick has been the subject of Republican scrutiny because of his support of the law and the United Kingdom's national health plan, according to the report.
"I think that a lot of the public concern about [the healthcare reform] law and a lot of the congressional criticism is ill-founded and based on myths," he said. "I think any chance to air publicly, with conversation and even debate, matters of such concern is healthy."
Aside from his personal regrets, Dr. Berwick also expressed both urgency on the state of healthcare and the reform law. He called on major stakeholders, including President Obama and hospital executive, to work together to fix a currently unsustainable healthcare delivery system.
Marilyn Tavenner, principal deputy administrator of CMS, has been tapped to be Dr. Berwick's successor.
Dr. Don Berwick Responds to Critics of CMS Center for Innovation
Dr. Don Berwick: ACO Final Rule is "More Feasible"
Dr. Berwick announced his resignation just before his term as administrator of the agency was due to expire. More than 40 Republican senators worked to block his confirmation as head of CMS in 2010, forcing President Obama to use a recess appointment to temporarily install Dr. Berwick into office. Dr. Berwick's temporary appointment was scheduled to end at the end of this year.
At the IHI conference, Dr. Berwick said his regret is not having a confirmation hearing as CMS head because it would have given him a chance to defend the healthcare reform law. Dr. Berwick has been the subject of Republican scrutiny because of his support of the law and the United Kingdom's national health plan, according to the report.
"I think that a lot of the public concern about [the healthcare reform] law and a lot of the congressional criticism is ill-founded and based on myths," he said. "I think any chance to air publicly, with conversation and even debate, matters of such concern is healthy."
Aside from his personal regrets, Dr. Berwick also expressed both urgency on the state of healthcare and the reform law. He called on major stakeholders, including President Obama and hospital executive, to work together to fix a currently unsustainable healthcare delivery system.
Marilyn Tavenner, principal deputy administrator of CMS, has been tapped to be Dr. Berwick's successor.
Related Articles on Dr. Don Berwick:
CMS Administrator Dr. Don Berwick ResignsDr. Don Berwick Responds to Critics of CMS Center for Innovation
Dr. Don Berwick: ACO Final Rule is "More Feasible"