Appointed Medicare/Medicade Chief-

[justplugit]

Obama's appointed Medicare/Medicade Cheif, appointed during congressional recess, without Senate hearings, Donald Berwick had a few comments.
He wants to follow the Canadian HC system and says he has a romance with England's sysytem, which rations end of life care decided by a beaurocratic panel not doctors,and says savings need to come out of Medicare.
In addition he wants the rich to pay for the poor,he said he believes in redistribution of wealth, and that major savings need to come out of Medicare.

A 2000 page HC bill, change you can believe in. pfft.

[spence]

This looks like one of those issues that a little homework quickly dissolves.

-spence

[scottw]

Originally Posted by spence

This looks like one of those issues that a little homework quickly dissolves.

-spence

yup...

Dem Baucus joins GOP in blasting Obama CMS recess appointment
By Mike Lillis - 07/07/10 11:40 AM ET

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.


Berwick had not been vetted by the Finance panel, nor had Baucus scheduled a hearing to examine the nominee

[buckman]

Originally Posted by spence

This looks like one of those issues that a little homework quickly dissolves.

-spence

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"?

[spence]

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"?

Considering the context:

1) The GOP was holding up the process so they could stall progress on reform
2) His position is only temporary until this session of Congress expires next year

and

3) He's arguably one of the most qualified people for this position on the planet

That being said, I don't have an issue with this recess appointment. While I don't expect the man to be a stalwart Conservative, he certainly doesn't look like a radical Liberal and the OP seems to lack substance.

-spence

[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.