Donald Berwick, who ran the Medicare and Medicaid programs for President Obama, formally launched his campaign Monday to become governor of Massachusetts.
Berwick, a Democrat, was never confirmed by the Senate to be director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal government agency charged with running the big entitlement programs.
Republicans such as Minority Leader Mitch McConnell charged that Berwick supported “rationed health care.” The former Harvard professor and pediatrician instead served 17 months as a recess appointee. Berwick resigned in late 2011.
It’s too early to tell, however, if Berwick’s role in advocating for the health care law known as Obamacare will help or hurt him in predominantly blue Massachusetts. The Bay State has its own health care law that mandates insurance coverage — which Obama said during his 2012 campaign was a model for Obamacare.
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“We lead the nation,” Berwick said on his campaign website, as he declared himself “ready to lead” Massachusetts. “With hard work and a continued commitment to making our state better and taking care of the most vulnerable among us, we can ensure that tradition of leadership continues.”
Berwick is not the only former Obama administration official eyeing a governorship. Former White House chief of staff Bill Daley announced last week he has formed an exploratory committee for a campaign in Illinois.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, has said he will not run for a third term next year. Republican Charles Baker, who lost to Patrick in 2010, is considering making another run for governor.
Date: June 17, 2013