Dr. Berwick, a champion of cost-reduction strategies as president of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, is an “expert on rationing,” said Sen. Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on the Senate floor.
Sen. McConnell also accused Dr. Berwick of supporting the National Health System in Great Britain, “a system where care is delayed, denied or rationed.”
Dr. Berwick declined comment on the charges prior to his confirmation hearings. As of yet, no Republicans have said they would vote against Dr. Berwick.
Democrats predict Dr. Berwick will survive the nomination process. “It’s no secret that the national Republican Party has tried to crank up the attack machine and make his nomination a distorted referendum on reform,” said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).
Read the Boston Globe’s report on Donald Berwick, MD.
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