As I read around about Dr. Berwick, he seems to be greatly focused on improving the quality of care delivered by hospitals, in particular; he seems committed to health care for all.  I have no problem with people getting better care, as long as that is not defined as less care; so far, Berwick doesn't seem to be of the "less is always better" mindset, which is good.

This, from the IHI website, certainly doesn't sound death-panel-y:

We aim to improve the lives of patients, the health of communities, and the joy of the health care workforce by focusing on an ambitious set of goals adapted from the Institute of Medicine's six improvement aims for the health care system: Safety, Effectiveness, Patient-Centeredness, Timeliness, Efficiency, and Equity. We call this the "No Needless List":

 No needless deaths
 No needless pain or suffering
 No helplessness in those served or serving
 No unwanted waiting
 No waste
 No one left out

IHI works with health professionals throughout the world to accelerate the measurable and continual progress of health care systems toward these bold objectives, leading to breakthrough improvements that are truly meaningful in the lives of patients.

We will be a recognized and generous leader, a trustworthy partner, and the first place to turn for expertise, help, and encouragement for anyone, anywhere who wants to change health care profoundly for the better.

Dr. Berwick is also on the Board of Directors of Physicians for Human Rights, whose mission statement is:

Our Mission

Physicians for Human Rights mobilizes health professionals to advance health, dignity and justice, and promotes the right to health for all. Harnessing the specialized skills, rigor, and passion of doctors, nurses, public health specialists and scientists, PHR investigates human rights abuses and works to stop them.

Our research takes us to conflict zones, to AIDS-ravaged Africa, to US prisons and immigration detention centers -- and our advocacy brings us to the offices of national and international policymakers. The courts, decision makers and the media have come to rely on our credibility and expertise. Motivated by moral urgency, based on science, and anchored in international human rights standards, PHR's advocacy advances global health and protects human rights.

PHR is building a new movement for human rights based on the solid foundation of over two decades of investigation, advocacy and accomplishment.

From everything I'm reading, Dr. Berwick would appear to be someone who believes deeply in health care for all, delivered efficiently, and with respect; if Medicare cuts are coming, and Medicaid has to be shephered through an expansion, I'm not sure there is anyone better to make sure that patient care is not what suffers.

I still remember some of the Corrente bloggers from election 2008 when I spent more time on the net. But then I took almost a year off.

I also would like my campaign contributions back and save some lives with it. I didn't support Obama but what difference did it make ... IMO my $$$ were nothing but thrown out of the window.

If you do not believe we should be in Afghanistan, then you will be against efforts to sway public opinion to support the effort.....

I just listened to the Obama speech per video and I really had to force myself to stay with it to the very end esp. after he started out with:" We do not choose this  war ..."  Oh, for heavens sake! And He not only praised the soldiers for doing a great job figting the Afghan war but he actually opined that the Afghan people gratefully accepted all the killing and maiming.  

So does anyone really believe that the few Al Quedas left over there (ca. 100) are plotting terrorist  attacks there right now? When in fact such a thing could be done all over the world? And all these 40.000 plus soldiers plus a huge amount of mercenaries, plus those horrible drones directed by guys sitting safely at their desks at home (all killing and maiming the Afghanistan people more than ever)are actually needed to defend the US from those few Al quedas who seem to never remain in the same area anyway?

The Question to ask is:
Why is Obama so eager to fight the Afghanistan war? This is a question that should be seriously discussed by everyone. Esp. by the congress and the media. And esp. by the American citizen because the question is a moral one. Soldiers and many Innocent People are dying. And for what?  

I suggest to read the following article by
RON JACOBS who writes:

"Perhaps, there was once a time when most westerners could pretend that the US-led onslaught against the Afghan people was a good thing.  Perhaps they convinced themselves that because the government of that country had allowed Osama Bin Laden to live in the mountains there that there was reason enough to attack his neighbors and destroy what remained of their nation.  Perhaps, too, westerners (especially US citizens) believed that the true purpose of the US-led military mission in Afghanistan was to capture Bin Laden and destroy his terror network.

Yes, perhaps there was a time when the facade of justice and righteous revenge provided enough of a moral veneer to the US war in Afghanistan that even intelligent westerners could live with the death and destruction occurring in their name.  However, that time is long past.  The war has gone on for more than eight years without any sign of cessation.  Indeed, since Barack Obama took up residence in the White House, the casualties in that war have spiked.  There are at least 40,000 more US troops in the country since that date last January and another thirty or forty thousand more getting ready to go there.  In addition, the number of mercenaries has similarly increased. The reasons provided for this escalation range from going after terrorists to creating a civil society.  As I write, another offensive against Afghans is being prepared..."

read on
(note that this article was written in February - more troops are being sent, more Afghan people are dead and injured).

Only the Fake Turkey was Missing
Obama in Afghanistan

Dave Lindorff
http://www.counterpunch.com/lindorff03292010.html

"How pathetic a scene was this: The president of the United States, commander-in-chief of the mightiest war machine ....."

Knowledgable mod-lib guy with a ton of experience ready to step in should Obama suddenly keel over on the hoops court, or should one of those violent tea baggers decide to ... well, like I thought for sure the wingnuts were planning to get rid of Bill Clinton prior to Monica.