Berwick Out as CMS Chief

The beleaguered leader of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Donald Berwick, has resigned from his position after it became apparent that he would not be confirmed.

Berwick was appointed to his position by President Obama during a congressional recess in 2010 in an effort to avoid confirmation hearings and Republican opposition. The appointment was only allowed to last until the end of 2011 without confirmation from the Senate. Forty-two Republican senators have said they would not vote to confirm him.

Berwick will be replaced by Marilyn Tavenner, his principal deputy.

Before his appointment at CMS, Berwick was a pediatrician and Harvard professor. Tavenner is the former Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources and a past president of the Virgina Hospital Association.

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