Of course, the full quote from that 2009 interview with Dr. Berwick, Obama's nominee for Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is as follows:
"Q: Critics of CER have said that it will lead to the rationing of healthcare.
"A: We can make a sensible social decision and say, 'Well, at this point, to have access to a particular additional benefit [new drug or medical intervention] is so expensive that our taxpayers have better use for those funds.' We make those decisions all the time. The decision is not whether or not we will ration care -- the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open. And right now, we are doing it blindly."
Berwick was saying that rationing is currently happening now in the US health care system, and that it isn't a matter of whether rationing will occur but whether we'll do it with our eyes open or whether we'll do it blindly. Right now, the US health system rations blindly.
Taking a quote out of such context, and offering a description of an interview that isn't supported by the interview itself, is perfectly keeping with the comically weak opposition to the US health care reform that's been taking place for over a year though.
Now, let's provide an example of the praise that Berwick receives and use this example to show people why he will make a great director of CMS.
Dr. Cecil B. Wilson, member of the American Medical Association's board of trustees:
"One of our efforts is our partnership with the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI) headed by Dr. Donald Berwick.
"The IHI has promoted the idea that six interventions, done routinely and completely in the hospital setting, could save as many as 100,000 lives in a single year. These interventions include:
"• Deploy Rapid Response Team at the first sign of patient decline;
"• Deliver Reliable, Evidence-Based Care for Acute Myocardial Infarction to prevent deaths from heart attack;
"• Prevent Adverse Drug Events by implementing medication reconciliation;
"• Prevent Surgical Site Infection by reliably delivering the correct preoperative care;
" • And Prevent Central Line Infections and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia by implementing a series of interdependent, science-based steps for each. Some or all of these interventions have been adopted by 3000 hospitals across the United States."
Nancy Nielsen, former president of the AMA:
Berwick has the " ability to inspire doctors and hospital administrators to work together." "Don is so widely respected because he has worked in such a collaborative way."
AARP executive vice president for policy John Rother:
Berwick's "appointment is welcome news to Medicare beneficiaries, as it signals that quality and safety will be at the top of the agenda."
Chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association Rich Umbdenstock:
Berwick has "engage[d] hospitals, doctors, nurses and other health-care providers in the continuous quest to provide better, safer care."
Kaiser Health News biography of Berwick:
Berwck "for two decades has been both a bit of a nag and an inspirational leader encouraging front-line health workers and health care leaders to make changes to reduce hospital deaths and complications as well as making health systems more efficient. ... Berwick, 63, has been a big promoter of efforts to reduce hospital infections, revamp the Medicare payment system to produce better patient outcomes and make public information on hospitals and doctor performance."
"Q: Critics of CER have said that it will lead to the rationing of healthcare.
"A: We can make a sensible social decision and say, 'Well, at this point, to have access to a particular additional benefit [new drug or medical intervention] is so expensive that our taxpayers have better use for those funds.' We make those decisions all the time. The decision is not whether or not we will ration care -- the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open. And right now, we are doing it blindly."
Berwick was saying that rationing is currently happening now in the US health care system, and that it isn't a matter of whether rationing will occur but whether we'll do it with our eyes open or whether we'll do it blindly. Right now, the US health system rations blindly.
Taking a quote out of such context, and offering a description of an interview that isn't supported by the interview itself, is perfectly keeping with the comically weak opposition to the US health care reform that's been taking place for over a year though.
Now, let's provide an example of the praise that Berwick receives and use this example to show people why he will make a great director of CMS.
Dr. Cecil B. Wilson, member of the American Medical Association's board of trustees:
"One of our efforts is our partnership with the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI) headed by Dr. Donald Berwick.
"The IHI has promoted the idea that six interventions, done routinely and completely in the hospital setting, could save as many as 100,000 lives in a single year. These interventions include:
"• Deploy Rapid Response Team at the first sign of patient decline;
"• Deliver Reliable, Evidence-Based Care for Acute Myocardial Infarction to prevent deaths from heart attack;
"• Prevent Adverse Drug Events by implementing medication reconciliation;
"• Prevent Surgical Site Infection by reliably delivering the correct preoperative care;
" • And Prevent Central Line Infections and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia by implementing a series of interdependent, science-based steps for each. Some or all of these interventions have been adopted by 3000 hospitals across the United States."
Nancy Nielsen, former president of the AMA:
Berwick has the " ability to inspire doctors and hospital administrators to work together." "Don is so widely respected because he has worked in such a collaborative way."
AARP executive vice president for policy John Rother:
Berwick's "appointment is welcome news to Medicare beneficiaries, as it signals that quality and safety will be at the top of the agenda."
Chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association Rich Umbdenstock:
Berwick has "engage[d] hospitals, doctors, nurses and other health-care providers in the continuous quest to provide better, safer care."
Kaiser Health News biography of Berwick:
Berwck "for two decades has been both a bit of a nag and an inspirational leader encouraging front-line health workers and health care leaders to make changes to reduce hospital deaths and complications as well as making health systems more efficient. ... Berwick, 63, has been a big promoter of efforts to reduce hospital infections, revamp the Medicare payment system to produce better patient outcomes and make public information on hospitals and doctor performance."
