Issue #99

by Art Kelly

1. President Obama gave a “recess appointment” to Dr. Donald Berwick, a very strong advocate of rationing of medical care, to be the new Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Berwick will now be able to serve in this capacity on an interim basis, without Senate confirmation, while he implements the new Obamacare law.

A previous issue of this newsletter documented Berwick’s enthusiasm for the type of withholding of medical care that exists in Britain and his intent to bring harsh rationing to American medicine.

The President’s “recess appointment” is further proof, if any is needed, that Obamacare will be especially devastating to seniors and their families.

Without Obama's recess appointment, Berwick would not have been confirmed. Not only would he have been blocked by a successful filibuster, it is very possible some Democrats might have voted against him in an attempt to mollify their constituents who are upset at their votes for Obamacare.

Republicans were furious at Obama and Berwick.

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), an orthopedic surgeon, said, "This recess appointment is an insult to the American people. Dr. Berwick is a self professed supporter of rationing health care and he won't even have to explain his views to the American people in a Congressional hearing.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), said:

“As if shoving a Trillion dollar government takeover of health care down the throat of a disapproving American public wasn't enough, apparently the Obama Administration intends to arrogantly circumvent the American people yet again by recess appointing one of the most prominent advocates of rationed health care to implement their national plan. The fact that this Administration won't allow the man charged with implementing the President's plan to cut $500 Billion out of Medicare to testify about his plans for the care of our nation's seniors is truly outrageous.”

Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) said, “Once again, the Obama Administration is going behind closed doors out of fear the American people will learn that Dr. Berwick plans to use rationing as a cost cutting tool to achieve the Billions of dollars in cuts to Medicare called for in the health care reform bill.”

Senate Republican Confernce Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), said of the Obama Administration, “Here they go again, thumbing their noses at the American people, jamming through a controversial nominee to oversee Medicare cuts in the new health care law.”

2. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), who are both physicians, have released a new oversight report on the first 100 days of Obamacare.

Their complete 31-page report on Obamacare, “Bad Medicine,” is online here.

3. The latest Rasmussen Report finds that 60% of the American people want Obamacare repealed, with only 36% who want to keep it and 4% undecided.

Last week’s issue of this newsletter reported on the 5-week decline from 63% support for repeal of the new health care law down to 52% for repeal (versus 40% who wanted to keep it and 8% undecided), conservatives increased their communications efforts to overcome the government propaganda that was being mailed to all seniors at taxpayers expense.

For instance, Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) spoke out on the Senate floor to expose the highly inaccurate information in the government mailing promoting Obamacare.