Contact: Amy Murphy, amurphy@acc.org, 202-375-6476

Washington, DC – The American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) CEO, Jack Lewin, M.D. today released the following statement on the recess appointment of Institute for Healthcare Improvement CEO Donald Berwick to be the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator by President Obama:

"When the President nominated Don to be CMS Administrator, I said that he had made an excellent choice and I still feel that way today.

"For all the talk about health care in recent months, not many people truly understand the ins and outs of our nation’s health care system. But Don understands the nuances, complexities and difficulties of our health care system and he has long worked side-by-side with physicians to increase the quality of health care while also lowering the cost of its delivery.

"Today’s appointment means that the millions of patients fighting heart disease and other illnesses will have someone who understands the science behind quality health care and who will transform the system towards patient-centered care that is based on outcomes.

"CMS has lacked of leadership for too long and today the President made a wise choice to move forward at an important time. Don at the helm of CMS during the implementation of the President’s health care overhaul is the shove that is needed to begin delivering quality health care; lowering costs; and reforming our health care payment system."

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 39,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care. More information about the association is available online at www.acc.org.

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