Up Next: Donald Berwick Live
Politico notes that Don Berwick will be hosting a “live web chat on health reform, its changes to Medicare and the program’s anniversary at 12:30 PM today.” Supposedly the chat will be held at http://www.healthcare.gov/live. However, less than two hours before the chat is scheduled to begin, there is no information on that webpage on how interested individuals can submit questions to Dr. Berwick. Does that mean that the Administration is not interested in listening to questions from the American people about how Dr. Berwick plans to implement over half a trillion dollars in reductions to Medicare spending?
Sadly, the apparent lack of transparency for this webcast is consistent with the Administration’s public relations strategy of not making Dr. Berwick available for interviews. But it’s yet another broken promise from an Administration that pledged “an unmatched level of transparency, participation, and accountability.” And the fact that Dr. Berwick cannot subject himself to answering questions from Members of Congress in an open hearing speaks to the controversial nature of both his appointment and the health care law he will implement.