Berwick Named CMS Administrator Through Recess Appointment

President Calls on Berwick to Lead Implementation of Landmark Health Reform Effort  

President Obama used a recess appointment yesterday to place Dr. Donald Berwick as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the year 2011. The President has the ability under the Constitution to appoint federal officials while the Senate is in recess. The President nominated Donald Berwick, M.D., professor of pediatrics and health policy management at the Harvard School of Public Health and consulting pediatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital, in April of this year but his nomination faced challenges from Republicans who have questioned Berwick's views on comparative effectiveness research and whether it could be used to ration care.

Although respected in policy circles for his understanding of improving quality of care while reducing system waste and cost many Republicans are arguing that Dr. Berwick's recess appointment is controversial, focusing on his previous support in the past for the British health care system and for efforts to reduce the total supply of high-technology medical and surgical care. Dr. Berwick has the support of the AMA, AARP, and previous CMS administrators.