Appointed Medicare/Medicade Chief-

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by buckman

So you have no problem with Obama side stepping the process to choose the man to run 1/6th of our economy and the "most important legislation in the history of America"?

I have issues with the appointment, but this is what happens when one party acts like obstructionists.

If you think recess appointments are a new thing:
Recess appointments made by President George W. Bush - SourceWatch
and that's just a fraction of the 171 made during his tenure.

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

If you think recess appointments are a new thing:
Recess appointments made by President George W. Bush - SourceWatch
and that's just a fraction of the 171 made during his tenure.

True, Clinton and past presidents also, but like was said above, this guy
will be dealing with 1/6 of our economy and has a totaly different opinion
on HC then what the American people were being sold on by the adminstration,
better and less expensive HC.
I'd like to see the progress being made on the 600 billion to be found in Medicare fraud they promised..

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I have issues with the appointment, but this is what happens when one party acts like obstructionists.

Republicans were not stalling Berwick's nomination. They WANTED the hearing to "expose" his views. Sen. Grassley (R) requested a hearing on Berwick be held two weeks ago. Obama didn't make the recess appointment because we had to hurry up and fill the CMS vacancy. It took him a year to select a nominee. And there is no way the Repubs could have blocked his appointment. He made the recess appointment to avoid a damaging fight over what those on the right consider Berwick's controversial views on rationing, his favorable view of the British health care system, and his redistributive views--especially to avoid this fight just before a critical election.

Also, beware of loosely using terms like "obstructionists" in a pejorative way. It is the duty of the opposition party not to acquiesce, but to "obstruct" what they deem action that leads to what it considers bad governance.