Former CMS admin Don Berwick joins Massachusetts Health Policy Commission
A former pediatrician, Berwick co-founded the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and led the organization for 20 years.
Don Berwick, former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and president emeritus of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement will join the board of the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, state Attorney General Maura Healey announced this week.
The HPC is an independent state agency that helps develop policy for controlling health care costs and improving the quality of care for patients. It monitors Massachusetts healthcare providers, analyzing financial analytics, setting benchmarks for cost growth, and investing in community care delivery.
[Also: Berwick's Top 5 achievements at CMS]
"Don has a long and deep career in health policy and management. His expertise will be invaluable to the Commission as it works to improve patient care and affordability in Massachusetts," Healey said. "Don will be an influential member of the board and an advisor to me as we work to create a more transparent and innovative health care system across this state."
A former pediatrician, Berwick co-founded the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and led the organization for 20 years. He has served on the staffs of Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's Hospital, as well as serving as a professor for both Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health.
In July 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Berwick as administrator for CMS, a move some Republicans were staunchly against. This was not the first time the national healthcare landscape had called to him. He also served on President Clinton's National Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Healthcare Industry.
[Also: Obama nominates Andy Slavitt as CMS administrator]
"Dr. Berwick brings an incredible depth of knowledge and experience in the areas on which the HPC is focused – advancing a more transparent, accountable, and innovative health care system," David Seltz, executive director of the HPC said in a statement.
Berwick will replace Dr. Paul Hattis, who has served on the board since 2012. Hattis will finish out the rest of 2015.
Berwick's appointment is effective January first of next year.
Twitter: @BethJSanborn
