Dr. Don Berwick, the former chief of Medicare and Medicaid, Obama administration’s healthcare reforms can not be turned back even if the Supreme Court rules the law unconstitutional.

Berwick said the reforms had already progressed so far that they had become standard in most parts of the United States. Berwick, who stepped down in December, added that a great deal of change was under way.

In an interview with the Guardian, he said, “There is so much tectonic motion now – the plates are shifting – and I don't think they can go back.”

He expressed concerns that any tampering with the law would lead to a flow of effects that would be bad for people.

Berwick resigned the job in December last year after it became clear that Congress would not verify his recess appointment made by President Barack Obama.

The Supreme Court is expected to pronounce its verdict on the controversial reforms in the next ten days. The verdict could have a serious impact on the healthcare of the millions of Americans as well as on Obama's re-election hopes.