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. Read more
I’ve done a few posts about Dr. Donald Berwick, the man appointed by Obama to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Now, thanks to an article by Daniel Henninger in today’s Wall Street Journal, we learn more about the “good doctor’s” view of our future under Obamacare…and, it isn’t pretty.
Here are a few of the comments made by Dr. Berwick.
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 is a good philosophy if you are one of the “leaders”, but, as none of us are, that statement seems a bit problematical.
And then we have,
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.
And,
A progressive policy regime will control and rationalize financing—control supply.
At least we now understand how Obamacare plans to cut $500 billion from Medicare and Medicaid.
And finally,
Young doctors and nurses should emerge from training understanding the values of standardization and the risks of too great an emphasis on individual autonomy.
Take the time to read the entire article as I have only quoted some of the “highlights”.
Perhaps now you understand why the president had to appoint Dr. Berwick “in the dark of night” bypassing the typical Senate confirmation hearing process. These views would have outraged most Americans had they become public, thus placing any member of the Senate voting to confirm Dr. Berwick in a more uncomfortable position than they already are, and, further eroding what little support for Obamacare still exists.
And, perhaps now you know why Senator Max Baucus (D. Mt.) was critical of this the dark of night appointment, saying,
Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is an essential process prescribed by the Constitution that serves as a check on executive power and protects Montanans and all Americans by ensuring that crucial questions are asked of the nominee — and answered.
But, to Obama, the Constitution seems to be a pesky inconvenience, unless he wishes it to be otherwise…see: Arizona.
Perish the thought that the American public might actually hear these views, contact their Senators and ask them to say no to this terrible appointment. Oh wait, I forgot, we’re to stupid to make decisions…that is for the leaders.