Berwick's Testimony to the Senate Finance Committee

On Wednesday, CMS Administrator Donald Berwick testified before the Senate Finance Committee.  Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) told Berwick that he wanted an approach to end-of-life care that is “the opposite of rationing.”  Berwick responded:  “My principle is that patients should get all of the care they want and need, when and how they want and need it.”In his written statement Berwick said PPACA won’t cut guaranteed Medicare benefits “nor will it ration care.”





Last year, Berwick stated, correctly:  “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.”