Statement by Wade Henderson on the Recess Appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

“President Obama made the right call in granting a recess appointment today to Dr. Donald Berwick to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Despite the support of consumers, employers, clinicians, health plans and health providers, Dr. Berwick’s nomination has been the object of baseless attacks and partisan obstruction by opponents of the new health care law.

As the co-founder, president, and CEO of the Institute for Health Care Improvement, Dr. Berwick has been a passionate advocate for quality health care and the needs of patients. Dr. Berwick’s expertise and leadership skills are exactly what CMS needs to ensure that tens of millions of seniors, children, and those living in poverty receive the care they deserve. The Leadership Conference believes that everyone in our country has a right to quality health care, and we wish Dr. Berwick well in his efforts to close the gap between the health care we have and the health care we need.”