The 111th Congress The Health Care Agenda

1. Don Lavanty While any final action on health care changes or attempts at major reform will have to pass through the Halls of the 111th Congress, the Obama Administration will play a large role in urging the shape and scope of the health care debate. During the campaign and initial days of the new Administration, a call was made for legislative action that would provide health insurance payment to the uninsured or underinsured. While debating the economic stimulus package, the Administration urged both the House and Senate to keep an eye on the access issues many segments of the middle class have regarding health insurance. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation, passed by Congress early in the Administration, focused on providing payment for health care services to children of parents who had no health insurance, including immigrant children. Furthermore, the stimulus package addressed payment for health insurance coverage for individuals who have lost their jobs. A provision was adopted to extend their unemployment benefits and assist in paying for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) or other health insurance coverage. The stimulus funding allocated to the states specified payments for the various state Medicaid programs. In addition, some attention was given to the health care workforce, as funding was directed toward training laid-off workers to seek careers in allied health. Finally, the President set up a task force in the White House to lead the movement on health care initiatives and reform. With each of these actions passed by the…