Sen. Roberts lashes out at recess appointment of Berwick

Jul 19 2010

"Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts is taking aim at President Barack Obama for making a recess appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick as the new head of the federal agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid," CNN reported. "The recess appointment allowed the president to install Berwick while the Senate was on vacation over the July 4 holiday, thereby bypassing what could have been a lengthy confirmation process. 'It is ironic that the President chose Independence Day for this action, avoiding the Senate's Constitutional check on executive power, to appoint Dr. Berwick,' Roberts said in the weekly Republican radio address. 'Without a public confirmation hearing on Dr. Berwick's nomination, the Senate and the American people do not have the opportunity to learn about the man who will control one third of all health care spending in America,' the Kansas Republican added." Republicans have criticized some of Berwick's comments about the British national medical system and have raised concerns that Berwick favors rationing. But President Barack Obama, in an interview with NBC News Thursday, reiterated his support for Berwick (7/17).

The Hill: "Roberts also reiterated GOP criticism of the sweeping new Democratic health care law when slamming Berwick, a Harvard University professor. 'Well, the obvious fear is Dr. Berwick will in fact use this position to redistribute the wealth in our country, cementing Obamacare as a giant, but stealthy, income transfer machine,' Roberts said" (Geman, 7/17).

Kaiser Health News has a Resource Guide that has some of his speeched and his background.