ASTROgram: Despite opposition, Obama appoints Berwick CMS chief

On July 7, 2010, President Obama made a recess appointment of Donald M. Berwick, M.D.,  to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Obama nominated Dr. Berwick in April to be CMS administrator, but Republicans have criticized the nomination, arguing that Berwick supports "rationing" health care services. The recess appointment bypasses the need for Senate confirmation but only allows Dr. Berwick to serve in this capacity until December 31, 2011. The White House said the unusual step is necessary to ensure that a CMS chief is in place to implement numerous provisions of the health care reform law. ASTRO supports the pick of Dr. Berwick to head CMS, as do many other physician and health care groups, and looks forward to working with him on reimbursement and to end self-referral abuses in radiation oncology.