Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Health Reform: The End Game

As Congress approaches final votes on comprehensive health reform legislation, the Center has released reports and statements on such issues as the history of enacted savings in Medicare, the use of the budget reconciliation process to enact major legislation, the major elements of the legislation at hand, and the historic nature of the upcoming votes.

Health Legislation Includes Realistic Medicare Savings

“Despite claims that the pending health reform bills aren’t really paid for because Congress never lets Medicare savings take effect, Congress has allowed the vast majority of Medicare cuts that it enacted in the past two decades to take effect and produce significant savings...” Read more: Full Analysis | Press Release | Podcast

Legislation Expands Coverage, Improves Insurance Markets, Slows Cost Growth, Reduces Deficits

“The health reform legislation now before Congress represents a historic opportunity to make significant progress in three critical areas: expanding the availability and affordability of health coverage, instituting much-needed improvements to the flawed health insurance marketplace, and taking steps to slow the relentless growth in health care costs.” Read more

Related:

More: Health Reform Analyses

Issues Facing Congress

Student Loan Reform in Health Reform Bill Saves More Than $60 Billion, Invests in Access to College

“The health reform legislation heading for a vote in Congress within the next few days includes major reforms to the student loan system that would save more than $60 billion over ten years and invest more in educational opportunity for millions of aspiring students…. While critics have branded the proposed changes in student loans a ‘government takeover’ and claimed it would cost jobs, both claims are inaccurate.” Read more