Statement of Debra L. Ness,
Campaign for Better Care President, National Partnership for Women
& Families
WASHINGTON, July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The Obama
Administration is making the best and only choice with a recess
appointment of Donald Berwick, M.D.
to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS). Dr. Berwick is a highly qualified candidate
with extraordinary skill, vast experience and deep dedication to
improving America's health care system. Yet he has been the
victim of ugly and baseless attacks by opponents of health reform
who wanted to undermine his nomination.
Just last week, the Campaign for Better Care organized
some 90 of the nation's top consumer, purchaser and provider groups
to issue a stirring defense of Berwick. Despite that strong,
broad-based support, opponents have continued to misrepresent his
work and distort his positions.
A recess appointment should not have been necessary but, given
the circumstances, it was. The White House was right to
appoint a man who is, quite simply, one of the nation's leading
experts on our health care system. He is sure to be a
dedicated and effective public servant who works tirelessly to
improve care for those who need it most.
It is past time to put politics aside. We should all unite
behind Dr. Berwick and work together to ensure that we realize the
promise of reform and make quality, coordinated care available to
all."
Led by the National Partnership for Women & Families,
Community Catalyst and the National Health Law Program, the
Campaign for Better Care is a multi-year initiative
focused on improving health care quality, coordination and
communication for older patients with multiple health problems and
their family caregivers. It is building a movement of and for older
adults and individuals with multiple chronic conditions, who are
counting on health reform to provide the patient-centered,
comprehensive and coordinated care they need. The
Campaign is funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies.
Learn more at www.CampaignForBetterCare.org.
SOURCE Campaign for Better Care