Berwick Ducks and Weaves Before Congress

big government ^ | 2/16/11 | Capitol Confidential

[Nachum]

With little fanfare, Rationer-in-Chief Donald Berwick, President Obama’s choice to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee and did his best impression of Gumby – twisting and turning his support for rationing health care.

Berwick has championed the British health care system for years proclaiming his outright support of rationing. In 2009, Berwick said, “The decision is not whether or not we will ration care — the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open.” In a 2008 speech, Berwick proclaimed, “I am romantic about the NHS; I love it. All I need to do to rediscover the romance is to look at health care in my own country.” Of course, the British system openly rations care for the sick and the elderly.

But Berwick ran from those statements like a scalded dog before House members who asked pointed questions about his support for rationing care. When Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) asked him whether he supports healthcare rationing, Berwick said, “I abhor rationing.” At another point he said that he spent his whole life fighting rationing, The Hill reports.

Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) asked him whether he was still “in love” with the British healthcare system, Berwick’s response: “There are strengths and weaknesses in every healthcare system in the world. The American healthcare system needs an American solution.”

[Nachum]

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[Oldexpat]

Somebody needs to go back to court and ask for a formal injunction. Seems that anyone who now had to do anything to comply with the law would have standing.

[hondact200]

Keep in mind, Berwick’s appointment ends at the end of 2011. He will have to go through a Senate Confirmation in 2012. The confirmation process will not go well for him, if Obama strives for another recess appointment of berwick there will be a lot more contentious time for him to pass more and more of his agenda. he will strive to Executive Orders. Whereby the people of America can say no to the Executive Orders - they are not law they are just the executive branch stating its will. the constitution is the final arbiter of the executive order process. If the president writes that every america must purchase a car. I do not have to purchase a car because he has not stipulated what kind of car I must purchase. i can go Walmart and purchase a Hot wheel car. I would be in compliance of his provisions as his belief in his authority, I do not have abide by the executive order because it is not law.