The path toward health reform became much steeper during mid June. The conflicting goals of cost containment and increasing access to health insurance came sharply into focus in Washington. This focus has slowed progress toward health reform as legislators debate how to construct a program that will improve insurance access and not increase the federal budget deficit.

By James Chesney, Ph.D.

May 2009

 

The Obama Administration’s health care agenda emphasizes funding for primary care, health information technology and comparative effectiveness research.  The health care blueprint for the new administration is contained in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), the Consolidated FY 2009 Appropriations legislation and the outline of President Obama’s spending plan for FY 2010. Each of these documents contains opportunities for expanded federal funding for primary care, health information technology and comparative effectiveness research. These three initiatives are the three legs of the stool for President Obama’s health reforms, which are key steps toward reducing the long term federal budget deficit.