WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today issued the following statement regarding the President’s renomination of Dr. Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:

"It is disappointing that despite Dr. Berwick’s six months on the job as head of CMS, he has appeared before the Finance Committee exactly once. One hearing is not enough to conduct adequate oversight of CMS, especially as it begins to implement changes and cuts called for in the new health care law. Serious questions remain about Dr. Berwick’s methods and beliefs. I am hopeful we will now be allowed the opportunity to get to know the man running the federal agency responsible for one third of all health care spending in America and the many new regulations pouring out of Health and Human Services."

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions. He voted against Obamacare.