Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after President Obama gave a recess appointment to Dr. Donald Berwick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Democrats held no hearing, allowed no public testimony, and called no votes on this nomination,” said Congressman Price. “In short, they did everything to hide Dr. Berwick’s radical views and made absolutely no effort to follow the regular, established process for confirming a presidential nomination. Clearly, they did not want Berwick’s adamant support for rationing health care debated in the light of day.

“This is hardly the first time Democrats have shown a willingness to undermine seniors’ access to care. They have played political games in the face of deep cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements four times in the last six months alone. And ObamaCare will take choice away from seniors by gutting Medicare Advantage and upending current health care plans.

“President Obama obviously knows he nominated a man whose views on health care are clearly out of step with those of the American people. This recess appointment is just another indication of the Democrats’ belief that their plans to radically alter our health care system require no approval from the American public. Republicans will continue to fight against rationing and for true reforms that empower patients.”