The New Health Dialogue

Inside Health Policy, via today's POLITICO Pulse, is reporting that the long-rumored appointment of Don Berwick to head CMS (which runs Medicare and Medicaid) could come as early as next week. Naturally we've heard the Berwick to CMS rumors for months (although Berwick politely ignored us when we asked if he needed a real estate agent recommendation in DC). I personally will be off next week if and when this announcement is made, so protectively an advance comment. For anyone who doubts that the Obama administration is committed to saving Medicare, to delivery-system reform, to controlling costs by improving quality -- this is your answer.

For any of you who know of Berwick's visionary work in just one context (central line infections or LEAN efficiency or whatever aspect you've come across) spend some time browsing the IHI website. IHI is working, and thinking, and creating and visualizing across the health care spectrum. Inpatient and out. From the sick homeless veteran in the streets (and I'm posting on that soon) to the highest of high tech ICUs. See a snippet of his most recent IHI keynote here (free registration required). And let's hope that the Republican "no cooperation" vow doesn't extend to his confirmation. (If you want to know a bit more about some of the new tools the health reform law gives CMS to bring about change, read this recent NEJM essay by Stuart Altman and Robert Mechanic. We've linked to it before, but it's worth reading.)