NHeLP Supports Appointment of Donald Berwick to CMS
July 7, 2010 – NHeLP supports the White House appointment of Dr. Don Berwick as the
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We believe he is exactly
the right person to lead CMS at this critical time.
Congress took a large step forward this year through the enactment of the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). PPACA charges CMS with leading the transformation of the
health care delivery system through the creation of new Medicare and Medicaid payment
models, new demonstration and pilot projects, the establishment of the Center for Medicare
and Medicaid Innovation, and other important initiatives that will improve access to and quality
of health care for millions of individuals and families. Dr. Berwick’s proven experience in
leading health care delivery system transformations makes him uniquely suited for the CMS
Administrator’s role in implementing PPACA.
Dr. Berwick has a long history as a leader in promoting patient-centered care. He has
consistently prioritized patients’ needs and preferences not only through his best practice
initiatives, but also by teaching health professionals how to put patients at the center of health
care decision-making. In short, Dr. Berwick’s commitment to patient-centered care is about
putting control of health care decisions in the hands of informed patients and their families,
working in partnership with their health care providers.
NHeLP looks forward to working with Dr. Berwick and CMS to successfully implement the
health reform law on both the federal and the state level and ensure that the needs of lowincome individuals and underserved populations are addressed.
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The National Health Law Program works with and on behalf of limited-income people, people
with disabilities, and children to improve their access to quality health care, and to enforce their
legal rights to health. NHeLP works with courts, government agencies, and Congress to ensure
quality health care for the most vulnerable members of our society.
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