In a letter to the Obama administration, Republicans senators showed they have enough votes to deny Don Berwick, MD, confirmation as CMS director by the end of the year, according to a report by the Boston Globe.
Dr. Berwick, excoriated by the GOP for his comments on rationing and praise of the centralized British healthcare system, got his post through a recess appointment by President Obama that runs out on Dec. 31. He would then have to be confirmed by the full Senate to stay in office.
Republicans would need 41 votes to block Dr. Berwick's confirmation and 42 GOP senators signed a letter asking for his removal from office.
GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, ranking Republican on the oversight committee for CMS, noted Dr. Berwick's past statements and said the CMS administrator lacks experience in insurance and in managing a large organization.
Dr. Berwick, former CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, has renounced his comments on rationing and the British healthcare system. Lately he has been busy drafting proposed rules on accountable care organizations. Those changes "will save billions in excess costs and save millions of lives," a White House spokesman said.
Read the Boston Globe report on Dr. Don Berwick.
Read more coverage on Dr. Berwick:
- White House Nominates Don Berwick for Full Appointment as CMS Head
- GOP Lawmakers Prepare to Grill CMS Administrator Don Berwick
- Don Berwick Renounces Rationing, Too Much Bureaucracy
Dr. Berwick, excoriated by the GOP for his comments on rationing and praise of the centralized British healthcare system, got his post through a recess appointment by President Obama that runs out on Dec. 31. He would then have to be confirmed by the full Senate to stay in office.
Republicans would need 41 votes to block Dr. Berwick's confirmation and 42 GOP senators signed a letter asking for his removal from office.
GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, ranking Republican on the oversight committee for CMS, noted Dr. Berwick's past statements and said the CMS administrator lacks experience in insurance and in managing a large organization.
Dr. Berwick, former CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, has renounced his comments on rationing and the British healthcare system. Lately he has been busy drafting proposed rules on accountable care organizations. Those changes "will save billions in excess costs and save millions of lives," a White House spokesman said.
Read the Boston Globe report on Dr. Don Berwick.
Read more coverage on Dr. Berwick:
- White House Nominates Don Berwick for Full Appointment as CMS Head
- GOP Lawmakers Prepare to Grill CMS Administrator Don Berwick
- Don Berwick Renounces Rationing, Too Much Bureaucracy