Now here is something for which to be thankful

On Wednesday, Dr. Donald Berwick submitted his resignation as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.  Dr. Berwick was yet another recess appointment made by President Obama when even Senate Democrats proved “hostile” to his confirmation.  Although his recess appointment would expire at the end of this year, Dr. Berwick announced he will be resigning on December 2.

This is good news for anyone who is on Medicare, or, for that matter, anyone who, like my brother, is ill and about to be forced into Obamacare.  In case you have forgotten, let me remind you of a few marvelous quotes from the good Doctor that we told you about  here.

It may therefore be necessary to set a legislative target for the growth of spending at 1.5 percentage points below currently projected increases and to grant the federal government the authority to reduce updates in Medicare fees if the target is exceeded.

Then we have,

A progressive policy regime will control and rationalize financing—control supply.

Parenthetically, “control supply” is government speak for rationing.

And,

Young doctors and nurses should emerge from training understanding the values of standardization and the risks of too great an emphasis on individual autonomy.

Or, my personal all time favorite,

I cannot believe that the individual health care consumer can enforce through choice the proper configurations of a system as massive and complex as health care. That is for leaders to do.

I suppose that philosophy is fine, as long as you are one of the “leaders”.

And, all this time, I thought the far left was caring and compasionate…didn’t former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D. Ca.) tell us that when Obamacare was passed?

 

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SoundOffSister

The Sound Off Sister was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and special trial attorney for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; a partner in the Florida law firm of Shutts & Bowen, and an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, School of Law. The Sound Off Sister offers frequent commentary concerning legislation making its way through Congress, including the health reform legislation passed in early 2010.

9 Comments

  1. GdavidH on November 25, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    ?I remembered reading this NRO?piece?a couple days ago and all I could think was that his resignation now would make it easier for his designated replacement, who is no better for any of us,?to sneak in as another recess appointment or a less controversial senate confirmation.

    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/284035/don-berwicks-legacy-tevi-troy
    Sliding in under the radar, if you will.

    ?Everything in?this administration has a poltical purpose.?



    • JollyRoger on November 25, 2011 at 6:23 pm

      I was thinking same thing.? Berwick was romantic for Britain’s NHS, the next guy will be the Marquis de Sade, or worse yet, Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama…



  2. JBS on November 26, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Dr. Berwick is just a bureaucrat, doing what the Regime tells him to do. He is only a symptom of the disease.
    Medicaid, Medicare and private health care plans are already practicing rationing simply by “holding down the costs” and dictating what tests, procedures and care can and can not be given.
    One thing is for sure, Dr. Berwick won’t have to worry about any of that. He will enjoy the best health care that our money will buy.
    As for the Regime, it will keep installing flacks and front people in these positions, by recess appointment — anything to circumvent Congress — in order to advance the socialist dream of ObamaCare.
    It will only get worse. Yes, Hillary or Michelle would be a nightmare. Caring and compassion? That is only the advertising copy put out for the mass consumption. In the final analysis, the Democrats only care about themselves. They will say and do anything to stay firmly attached to the government teat. And, staying in power.
    You may have to show your DNC card to get health care in the future!



  3. Lynn on November 26, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Let’s pray we can obliterate Obamacare, so that Jim will not be forced into it. We all need to be able to make our own choices about our Healthcare.? As for Dr. Berwick, with this administration, it is one stooge after another. Vote Obama out and all of the other leeches in Congress, too.



  4. ricbee on November 26, 2011 at 11:31 pm

    What praytell has prompted this Christmas gift?



  5. gillie28 on November 27, 2011 at 10:27 am

    test:
    <img src=”http://www.myemoticons.com/images/holidays/thanksgiving/turkey-wave.gif” border=”0″ alt=”Turkey Wave” title=”Turkey Wave” />



  6. Dimsdale on November 28, 2011 at 11:03 am

    Now it has been announced that Barney Frank, staunch defender of the housing bubble burst, is not running for reelection.??? Is that the sound of rats deserting a sinking ship?
    ?
    Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!



  7. Murphy on November 29, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Naw he’s just getting out before conservatives gain power.



  8. winnie on November 29, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    Ahhh, SOS….isn’t it funny how what I’m learning in school dovetails so nicely with your post?? From the American Occupational Therapy Association code of? ethics:
    Principle 3. Occupational therapy personnel shall respect the right of the individual to self-determination.
    The principle of autonomy and confidentiality expresses the concept that practitioners have a duty to treat the client according to the client?s desires, within the bounds of accepted standards of care and to protect the client?s confidential information. Often autonomy is referred to as the self-determination principle. However, respect for autonomy goes beyond acknowledging an individual as a mere agent and also acknowledges a ?person?s right to hold views, to make choices, and to take actions based on personal values and beliefs?
    This is a principle not just for the practice of OT, but for many professions within the health care system.? Of course, some politicians and their appointees just don’t understand principles, never mind ethics.
    ?



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