CNSNews.com - Obama's Recess-Appointed Medicare Chief Speaks at HHS Press Conference But Doesn’t Stick Around for Questions

CNSNews.com - Obama's Recess-Appointed Medicare Chief Speaks at HHS Press Conference But Doesn’t Stick Around for Questions: "Washington (CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama’s controversial pick to run Medicare and Medicaid made his first public appearance Tuesday since he landed the job in a recess appointment, but he did not remain at the press conference long enough to take any questions from the news media.

Dr. Donald Berwick, the new administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who has openly advocated for a health care system that 'must redistribute wealth,' spoke to a crowd of about 200 people, including reporters, at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Berwick was joined by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, and Dr. David Blumenthal, the national coordinator for Health Information Technology, to announce new federal rules pertaining to electronic health records.

Berwick said electronic health records allow doctors to see patients' histories so they have a better idea of what treatment or prescriptions patients may need. But he said the country has a long way to go in developing the use of these electronic records.