The Berwick Hearing’s Best Focus: Obamacare’s Effects on Doctors and Patients

Kathryn Nix / November 17, 2010

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Donald Berwick this morning is expected to testify before Congress in his first appearance since a controversial recess appointment in June. He will talk before the Senate Finance Committee.

President Barack Obama’s controversial decision to sidestep protocol and appoint Berwick has been magnified by media coverage of Berwick’s publications and speeches that supported highly centralized health-care systems. While a respected health policy analyst, Berwick has what he calls “romantic” views on the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, which rations care based on the cost-effectiveness of treatments. Likening Britain’s system to a “global treasure” has many senators concerned that Berwick will take the same viewpoint while implementing the new health law. (more…)