There's been some speculation that the Obama administration may have to put plans for health care reform on hold while it focuses on the financial crisis. However, it looks like Obama is making health care reform an immediate priority and even positioning it as part of his economic stimulus plan. Read all about it in this Washington Post article.
In a nutshell, Obama has pledged increased federal Medicaid spending (by perhaps $40 billion over two years) as part of his stimulus bill. He also plans to retrain medical workers and extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Of particular interest to me, the stimulus plan will include a large investment in health information technology--to the tune of $50 billion for doctors and hospitals to install computers. Fabulous--I'm so glad to see the new administration also values electronic records management! Way to join the 21st Century.
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