New Medicare chief Donald Berwick says rationing not the way to reform health care

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New Medicare chief speaks out against rationing

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s new Medicare chief says rationing is not the way to reform the nation’s health care system.

Dr. Donald Berwick said Monday in his first major speech that pushing back against medical costs cannot involve “withholding from us, or our neighbors, any care that helps,” or “harming one hair on anyone’s head.”

Berwick’s appointment this summer without Senate confirmation was contentious. Some Republicans accused him of being willing to deny care to save on costs. After that, the administration kept him largely out of the limelight.

The medical innovation guru broke his silence Monday in a speech to health insurance industry representatives.