Washington D.C. – Yesterday, President Obama appointed Dr. Donald M. Berwick M.D., M.P.P., to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization, praised the Administration for advancing Dr. Berwick’s appointment at this critical time when national health reform implementation is getting underway. His appointment is timely as CMS has been without leadership for over three years.
As a recess appointee, Dr. Berwick will have all the powers of a permanent appointee. But under the Constitution, his appointment will expire at the end of the next session of Congress, in late 2011.
First Focus President Bruce Lesley issued the following statement:
“We are pleased that for the first in our nation’s history a pediatrician will serve in this essential role at HHS and we commend the Administration for its decision to advance his appointment. The selection of a pediatrician to head CMS will mean that Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program – programs vital to the health and well-being of our nation’s children – will not be neglected under his leadership.
“Dr. Berwick’s long history as a leading expert on health system transformation and health policy issues – including experience in academia, as a research professional, as a clinician, and as a policy advisor – make him an ideal candidate to lead this agency, especially as the implementation of the landmark health reform legislation moves forward. He is a renowned expert in improving the quality of health care delivery and in saving lives through the reduction of medical errors. It is for these reasons that his appointment is supported by a wide range of nonpartisan national, state, and local organizations.”
In a recent letter to Senate leadership spearheaded by First Focus, a coalition of over 130 organizations joined together to applaud the nomination of Dr. Berwick. The letter drew attention to the important role CMS will play in ensuring that crucial improvements included in the new health reform legislation become a reality for America’s children.