More than 130 health advocacy groups on June 16 sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to swiftly confirm Donald Berwick as the next CMS administrator, CQ Politics reports. President Obama nominated Berwick on April 19 (CQ Politics, 6/18). Berwick, a pediatrician, is the president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and a Harvard University professor Women's Health Policy Report, 6/4).
According to the letter, "Dr. Berwick's long history as a pediatrician working to advance health care access and coverage for our nation's children -- including decades of experience in academia, as a research professional, as a clinician and as a policy adviser -- make him an ideal candidate to lead CMS." Signatories include groups such as the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Hospital Association.
The Senate Finance Committee, which will oversee Berwick's confirmation, has not announced a hearing date. Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has said the hearing likely will begin after the July 4 recess.
Despite the groups' support, Berwick's confirmation could be complicated by opposition from Senate Republicans, who have accused him of supporting health care rationing, CQ Today reports. However, it remains unclear whether GOP members would attempt to block his nomination (CQ Politics, 6/18).
Washington Post Interviews HRSA Administrator Wakefield
The Washington Post on Monday published a question-and-answer feature with Mary Wakefield, administrator of HHS' Health Recourses and Services Administration, which oversees U.S. community health centers and various programs that deliver care to the uninsured. The federal health reform law (PL 111-148) provides $11 billion over five years to community health centers, as well as $250 million for programs to increase the number of primary care providers. Both programs fall under HRSA's jurisdiction.
Wakefield said that "supporting maternal and child health" is one of "four major themes, or areas of focus" that are part of HRSA's jurisdiction for implementing the reform law. The other main areas include "investing in the health care workforce," "broadening and expanding access to discounted drugs for safety-net providers" and "increasing access to primary care services" (Washington Post, 6/21).
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