Meet the New Medicare Official Republicans Wanted to Block

When President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid service, Republicans promised to hold up his appointment indefinitely. And Sen. Max Baucus seemed to be dragging his heels in calling a nomination hearing. So Obama gave Berwick a recess appointment -- a procedure by which a president can make an appointment without Senate confirmation if the Congress is in recess.

In the film, Money-Driven Medicine, Berwick appears as an advocate of health-care reform, talking about whether or not America has the best health-care system in the world, the role of profit in health-care decision-making, and other important issues. Video below.

Money-Driven Medicine was produced by Academy Award winner Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side; Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) and inspired by Maggie Mahar's acclaimed book, Money Driven Medicine: The Real Reason Health Care Costs So Much, it offers the only systemic look on film at the economics underlying – and often undermining -- our $2.6 trillion health-care system. (You can find information about renting or screening the film here.)

Don Berwick #1: "Is American Healthcare the Best in the World?"

Don Berwick #1: "Is American Healthcare the Best in the World?" from Century Foundation on Vimeo.

Don Berwick #2: "There's Profit in that Bill"

Don Berwick #2:"There’s Profit in that Bill" from Century Foundation on Vimeo.

Don Berwick #3: "Supply-Driven Care"

Don Berwick #3: "Supply-Driven Care" from Century Foundation on Vimeo.

Don Berwick #4: "Patients Make More Frugal Choices"

Don Berwick #4: "Patients Make More Frugal Choices" from Century Foundation on Vimeo.

Don Berwick #5: "Markets Mean Competition"

Don Berwick #4: "Patients Make More Frugal Choices" from Century Foundation on Vimeo.