Let the Obamacare Rationing Begin

Dr. Donald Berwick is hardly a household name.    But, he has been nominated by President Obama to assume the role as CEO of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement to direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Translation — Berwick will be in charge of implementing Obamacare.

Berwick is an open devotee of rationing.    In June of 2009, Berwick wrote in the journal Biotechnology Healthcare, “The decision is not whether or not we will ration care — the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open.   We can make a sensible social decision and say, ‘Well, at this point, to have access to a particular [new drug or medical intervention] is so expensive that our taxpayers have better use for those funds.’”

Burke Balch, a National Right to Life health care expert, says that Berwick has strong views on limiting the implementation of lifesaving medical technology, even if you want to use your own money to request it.   If Berwick believes what you want and will pay for with your own dollars doesn’t (in his opinion) lower health care costs, you won’t get it.

That’s why NRLC is vehemently opposing the confirmation of Berwick to this position which will literally determine what treatment you will get.

Barbara Lyons