Contact: Marie Watteau, (202) 626-2351
STATEMENT ON DONALD BERWICK'S, M.D., DEPARTURE AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
Rich Umbdenstock
President and CEO
American Hospital Association
November 23, 2011
The AHA commends Don Berwick's commitment and passion to improving health care. We appreciate his openness to always being willing to listen to the hospital field's perspective on how to deliver better care to patients. He was instrumental in paving the way to new forms of payments that allow for greater coordination for patients across the care continuum. His leadership in health reform implementation has been invaluable, and we are certain he will continue to make important contributions in this arena in the future.
At the same time, we look forward to continuing working with Marilyn Tavenner, a very capable administrator who has been a key player at CMS in her role as principal deputy administrator. Her varied and rich background as a former nurse, health care executive, and government official at the state level gives her a very unique perspective in understanding both the implications of public policy and their implementation. We have no doubt that she will provide strong leadership in these challenging times.