Senator Roberts' Statement on Recess Appointment of Dr. Berwick to Head CMS

Statement

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today released the following statement:

"I am deeply disappointed the controversial nomination of Dr. Donald Berwick to be the Administrator of the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) will not come before the Senate to address questions about his views in support of the British National Health System and government rationing of health care. Because this post administers the Medicare program, it touches virtually every senior in America and represents one third of health care spending.This recess appointment proves the Obama Administration did not have the support of a majority of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and sought to evade a hearing. Once again, the Obama Administration is going behind closed doors out of fear the American people will learn that Dr. Berwick plans to use rationing as a cost cutting tool to achieve the billions of dollars in cuts to Medicare called for in the health care reform bill. It is very troubling to me that the American people will not get to hear Dr. Berwick's explanation for his comments including: 'I am romantic about the NHS. I love it,' and 'Most people who have serious pain do not need advanced methods; they just need the morphine and counseling that have been around for centuries.' I am especially concerned for the rural health care delivery system in rural states like Kansas.

"Republicans welcomed debate on Dr. Berwick's nomination, but the majority did not schedule a hearing. It is my understanding from reports that his paperwork for the Finance Committee's consideration has not been completed. Suggestions that Republicans are the source of delay on Dr. Berwick's nomination are laughable."

Senator Roberts is a member of the Finance Committee.

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