Republicans Demand Berwick Confirmation Hearing

Republican senators on the Finance Committee are furious that President Obama circumvented the Senate confirmation process by giving Dr. Don Berwick a recess appointment to the CMS administrator post. The White House had been concerned that Republicans would block Berwick's nomination.

The 10 Republicans on the committee drafted a letter to committee chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) insisting that Berwick appear at a confirmation hearing as soon as possible.

The letter explained that "The need for Dr. Berwick to be considered in a transparent and deliberative manner is all the more important because the agency will be responsible for numerous and significant changes to federal health programs including the largest Medicaid coverage expansion since the program's creation."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is also holding up two federal nominations to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals out of protest over Berwick's recess appointment.

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