Rep. Pence: Medicare Chief Berwick ‘Not Entitled To That Job’

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) says he is concerned about the prospect of health care rationing following the recess appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick to serve as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services.

Pence, speaking Tuesday at a Congressional Health Caucus event, said Berwick was “not entitled to that job” and should have had a confirmation hearing.

“I think an appointment of such magnitude, at a time of enormous public debate, as a recess appointment was wrong,” Pence told CNSNews.com. “I think it was wrong for the president to bypass the confirmation process at a time when the American people are so focused on legislation where the ink is barely dry.

“I also believe, as a part of those confirmation hearings, Dr. Berwick would certainly have an opportunity to explain why he referred to the British socialist health care system as ‘a global treasure,’” said Pence.

“Now, he’s certainly entitled to his opinion, but he’s not entitled to that job,” Pence said.

As CNSNews.com previously reported, Dr. Berwick praised Britain’s National Health Service in a July 2008 speech at Wembley Stadium, saying he was “a romantic about the National Health Service,” and that “any health care funding plan that is just, equitable, civilized and humane must – must -- redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and the less fortunate.”

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