Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I come to the floor to urge quick confirmation of President Obama's nominee, Dr. Donald Berwick, to become the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS. He is highly qualified and capable. This is an extremely important position for which he has been nominated. Unfortunately, according to recent press reports, it appears that some who oppose the new health reform law are hoping to use Dr. Berwick's confirmation process as a forum to debate the merits of this new health reform law which has now been enacted. In my view, whether Senators favored or opposed the enactment of health care reform legislation, it is clearly in the interests of our country that we have a capable Administrator to implement the new law. Over the last year and a half, there has been an enormous focus in Congress on addressing the very serious problems facing our health care system. It is important the President's choice to head the CMS be confirmed so that he can take up the enormous challenge and the enormous opportunity that is presented by the enactment of this new legislation. It is clear our Nation has urgent needs. This is not a time for the Senate to delay Dr. Berwick's nomination. I recently spent time with Dr. Berwick at the annual Health Policy Conference headed by the Commonwealth Fund this last January.…”