Congressional fireworks have been averted while away for the 4th of July holiday.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just got a new head. Dr. Donald Berwick, a pediatrician and leading promoter of patient safety and quality improvement in healthcare was just appointed to the post of Administrator. Turns out, Dr. Berwick can be appointed by the President who sidesteps normal procedure of a Senate confirmation process.
The loophole that most people are unaware of, is that during the time that the Senate is in recess (like the 4th of July holiday), the President can appoint who he wants without approval, avoiding the traditional route.
Normally, the Senate Finance Committee would have conducted a hearing on the nomination generic ventolin canada involving questions from supporters and critics after which the nomination report would go to the full Senate for a vote.
Supporters feel that Dr. Berwick is a natural choice to help implement the healthcare reform legislation, having been CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement which has helped healthcare providers and facilities to improve patient care. Critics (like Senate Republicans) blast Dr. Berwick as a supporter of healthcare rationing and socialized medicine. They feel that he is being “snuck” in without explaining his position on national health service or medical rationing. As he is to take office imminently, we will find out how he feels about these issues first hand.
