Obama appoints new Medicare administrator

[bpwallace49]

Obama bypasses Senate for new Medicare chief

 

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama bypassed the Senate Wednesday and appointed Dr. Donald Berwick, a Harvard professor and patient care specialist, to run Medicare and Medicaid.

 

The decision to use a so-called recess appointment to install Berwick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services drew immediate fire from the GOP. Republicans have raised concerns about Berwick's views on rationing of care and other matters and said it was wrong for Obama to go around the normal Senate confirmation process. That view was echoed by a key Democratic committee chairman, although the recess appointment is a tool used by presidents of both parties.

 

Berwick has wide support in the medical community but some Democrats feared the GOP would use his confirmation hearings as an opportunity to reopen last year's divisive health care debate. Obama defended the decision to appoint Berwick and two other officials, one to a pension board and the other to a White House science post.

 

"It's unfortunate that at a time when our nation is facing enormous challenges, many in Congress have decided to delay critical nominations for political purposes," Obama said in a statement Wednesday. "These recess appointments will allow three extremely qualified candidates to get to work on behalf of the American people right away."

 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Obama of trying to "arrogantly circumvent the American people" with Congress out of town for its annual July Fourth break. Berwick could serve through next year without Senate confirmation.

 

"Democrats haven't scheduled so much as a committee hearing for Donald Berwick but the mere possibility of allowing the American people the opportunity to hear what he intends to do with their health care is evidently reason enough for this administration to sneak him through without public scrutiny," said McConnell, R-Ky.

 

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., whose committee would have held Berwick's confirmation hearing, also said he was troubled by the recess appointment. "Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is an essential process prescribed by the Constitution that serves as a check on executive power," said Baucus. Berwick was nominated in April, and Finance Committee staff was still at work on the vetting process it undertakes prior to scheduling a confirmation hearing.

 

Berwick, 63, is a pediatrician, Harvard University professor and leader of a health care think tank, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, that works to develop and implement concepts for improving patient care. The programs he will oversee — Medicare and Medicaid for the elderly, poor and disabled, along with the Children's Health Insurance Program — provide care to about 100 million people, or around 1 in 3 Americans.

 

The American Hospital Association and AARP were among the groups that weighed in to support Berwick Wednesday.

 

"Don has dedicated his career to engaging hospitals, doctors, nurses and other health care providers to improve patient care," said Rich Umbendstock, head of the hospital association. "A physician and innovator in health care quality, his knowledge of the health care system makes him the right choice."

 

Republicans have seized on comments like one Berwick made to an interviewer last year: "The decision is not whether or not we will ration care — the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open. And right now, we are doing it blindly."

 

Republicans say that shows Berwick would deny needed care based on cost. Supporters contend rationing already is done by insurance companies and Berwick simply wants transparency and accountability in medical decisions.

 

It's just those echoes of the health care debate that Democrats would prefer not to replay on the Senate floor.

 

Medicare has been without an administrator since 2006, and the White House says the need to fill the post is critical because of its role in implementing the new health care law. Medicare is to be a key testing ground for numerous aspects of the new law, from developing new medical techniques to trying out new payment systems, and the White House says a permanent leader is key with deadlines approaching.

 

Obama last made a batch of recess appointments in March. Also appointed Wednesday were:

 

_Philip E. Coyle III as associate director for national security and international affairs at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

 

_Joshua Gotbaum as director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

I cant believe that Medicare hasnt had an administrator since 2006 . . . . and we wonder why they have difficulties.

 

Of course this could have gone to hearings, and the GOP coulda blustered to make political points, and he would have been appointed anyways after wasting a lot of time. It is distasteful that this was done, but presidential appointees are selected every presidency during breaks.

 

Plus this guy is supported by the Hospital Association and the AARP, so I guess they arent very worried about the death panels rationing health care.

[rattsass]

I cant believe that Medicare hasnt had an administrator since 2006 . . . . and we wonder why they have difficulties.

 

Of course this could have gone to hearings, and the GOP coulda blustered to make political points, and he would have been appointed anyways after wasting a lot of time. It is distasteful that this was done, but presidential appointees are selected every presidency during breaks.

 

Plus this guy is supported by the Hospital Association and the AARP, so I guess they arent very worried about the death panels rationing health care.

This weasel is on record having a big hard-on for the British system of RATIONED healthcare. Sorry grandpa, the government says those $2000 dollar pills that could save your life could be better spent on an abortion.

[bpwallace49]

This weasel is on record having a big hard-on for the British system of RATIONED healthcare. Sorry grandpa, the government says those $2000 dollar pills that could save your life could be better spent on an abortion.

 

Then why on earth would the AARP support him?

 

That just doesnt make sense . . .

[dmarc117]

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/healt...ruly-outrageous

 

Echoing Republicans, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Wednesday blasted the Obama administration for sidestepping Congress to install Donald Berwick atop the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

 

"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," Baucus said in a statement.

[rattsass]

Then why on earth would the AARP support him?

 

That just doesnt make sense . . .

Nothing makes sense any more, reading the news is like a trip through the Twilight Zone.

[TimC]

Then why on earth would the AARP support him?

 

That just doesnt make sense . . .

 

The AARP is the world's largest (and oldest) terrorist organization on the planet. No group has done more to bankrupt America. It's members are the worst type of scum in the USofA.

[wiegie]

RATIONED healthcare.

we already have rationed healthcare

[dmarc117]

we already have rationed healthcare

 

 

he said RATIONED, not rationed

[SEC=UGA]

Then why on earth would the AARP support him?

 

That just doesnt make sense . . .

 

The AARP sells insurance policies to supplement the federal programs and basically has cornered the market on marketing these things. There is a lot of money to be made by the AARP here.

 

AARP Services

 

They are not the benign and malevolent organization that you think they are.

Edited July 7, 2010 by SEC=UGA

[evil_gop_liars]

Sorry grandpa, the government says those $2000 dollar pills that could save your life could be better spent on an abortion.

 

[bpwallace49]

They are not the benign and malevolent organization that you think they are.

 

Never thought they were . .

 

I was pointing out the conflict of a guy that supposedly with "ration" health care being supported by an organization who's members uses the greatest proportion of health care.

[SEC=UGA]

Interesting stuff on the American Hospital Association:

 

Achievements: Some of the Association's major contributions throughout the years illustrate its dual trade organization/public interest emphasis. In 1937, when the notion of voluntary prepayment was still controversial, the AHA established the Hospital Service Plan Commission, now better known as Blue Cross. The Association helped establish and sought funding for the Commission on Hospital Care, the recommendations of which led to establishment of the Hill-Burton program. In 195 1, the AHA was instrumental in establishing the Commission on Financing of Hospital Services, the results of which led to national recognition of the special health care problems of the elderly and culminated in the Medicare legislation of 1965. AHA was an early advocate of prospective pricing for Medicare reimbursement and set the pace for understanding and eventual congressional passage of a prospective pricing system. In all these initiatives, the Association has sought to serve the needs of communities and health improvement.

[Sox]

The AARP sells insurance policies to supplement the federal programs and basically has cornered the market on marketing these things. There is a lot of money to be made by the AARP here.

 

AARP Services

 

They are not the benign and malevolent organization that you think they are.

 

 

Yep.They sell gap insurance.

 

That's why they endorsed the health care bill.

[SEC=UGA]

Never thought they were . .

 

I was pointing out the conflict of a guy that supposedly with "ration" health care being supported by an organization who's members uses the greatest proportion of health care.

 

They don't mind that the government will ration healthcare. The way they will spin it is exactly such:

 

Old Bag - "Honey, I was at the doctor today and I ran into Janet. She told me that before Max died, the national governing board for the distribution and assemblage of health benefits denied Max's medication. It caused him to become shrivled up, suffer from rickets, and die a slow and Painful death."

 

Old Fart - "Geesh, dear, that just sounds awful."

 

Old Bag - "I know. Janet told me that after going through this event that she contacted the AARP for supplemental insurance that covers the gap in the national health care. She told me that for 49.99 per month, they have a program that could have helped Max avoid dying slowly."

 

Old Fart - "But, honey, we're on a fixed income and I have existing medical conditions. They would never cover me"

 

Old Bag - "Max, turn up your hearing aid, it's only 49.99 per month for each of us and Janet said that we can't be turned down for prior medical conditions or advanced age."

 

Old Fart - "Wow, that sounds like a great product honey! Will it cover my Viagra, you know, I feel the least I could do is slip you the high hard one for informing me about such a great program!"

 

Old Bag - "Aww, honey, that's so sweet, but you know, I really don't want to see your shaggy gray sack."

 

Old Bag/Old Fart - (hug and laugh)

[Duchess Jack]

alright... this has nothing to do with this post... but it didn't merit its own post, so I thought I put it here for the heck of it...

 

which of these guys is the Frenchman?

[rattsass]

he said RATIONED, not rationed

Either way grandpa will still be DEAD!

[TimC]

Obama hates Grandpas.

[rattsass]

Obama hates Grandpas.

Unless they are Mexican.

[bpwallace49]

They don't mind that the government will ration healthcare. The way they will spin it is exactly such:

 

Old Bag - "Honey, I was at the doctor today and I ran into Janet. She told me that before Max died, the national governing board for the distribution and assemblage of health benefits denied Max's medication. It caused him to become shrivled up, suffer from rickets, and die a slow and Painful death."

 

Old Fart - "Geesh, dear, that just sounds awful."

 

Old Bag - "I know. Janet told me that after going through this event that she contacted the AARP for supplemental insurance that covers the gap in the national health care. She told me that for 49.99 per month, they have a program that could have helped Max avoid dying slowly."

 

Old Fart - "But, honey, we're on a fixed income and I have existing medical conditions. They would never cover me"

 

Old Bag - "Max, turn up your hearing aid, it's only 49.99 per month for each of us and Janet said that we can't be turned down for prior medical conditions or advanced age."

 

Old Fart - "Wow, that sounds like a great product honey! Will it cover my Viagra, you know, I feel the least I could do is slip you the high hard one for informing me about such a great program!"

 

Old Bag - "Aww, honey, that's so sweet, but you know, I really don't want to see your shaggy gray sack."

 

Old Bag/Old Fart - (hug and laugh)

 

Nice . . .

 

But OF COURSE there is a sinister evil motive behind this . . . we ARE talking about Obama the antichrist after all . . .

[tosberg34]

Nice . . .

 

But OF COURSE there is a sinister evil motive behind this . . . we ARE talking about Obama the antichrist after all . . .

 

It took a while, but now you're starting to understand.

[bpwallace49]

I find it funny that NO ONE has an issue with this post being vacant since 2006

[borge007]

Nothing makes sense any more, reading the news is like a trip through anything.

or your continuous inane posts in this forum

[yo mama]

I find it funny that NO ONE has an issue with this post being vacant since 2006

One less government worker is a bad thing?

[bpwallace49]

One less government worker is a bad thing?

 

I would think that more oversight over a massive program like Medicare would be a GOOD thing Especially by someone that knows the medical field like this guy.

[rattsass]

or your continuous inane posts in this forum

You should put me on ignore. Then you won't have to post inane comments like this yourself. Problem solved.