We have really good data that show when you take patients and you really inform them about their choices, patients make more frugal choices. They pick more efficient choices than the health care system does.

On January 8 2013 Berwick declared his possible interest in running as a candidate for governor of Massachusetts. He is the co-author of several books including Cholesterol Children and Heart Disease: an Analysis of Alternatives (1980) Curing Health Care (1990) and New Rules: Regulation Markets and the Quality of American Health Care (1996). He is also a pediatrician Adjunct Staff in the Department of Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston and a Consultant in Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital.

In March 2012 he joined the Center for American Progress as a Senior Fellow. Prior to his work in the administration he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement a not-for-profit organization helping to lead the improvement of health care throughout the world. On July 7 2010 Barack Obama appointed Berwick to serve as the Administrator of CMS through a recess appointment.