For the first time since Bill Clinton was in office, the Democrats have the majorities in the Chambers of Congress and the White House. This party has been in favor of universal health care and increasing the government's hand in health care, for a long time.
Now that the Democrats have the power, will they be able to alter the health care system as it is? We will take a look at a few of the main concerns that will need to be focused on by Obama and Congress. We will rate these from the least expected to be changed to most expected, within the first term of Obama's office.
A one-payer universal health care and health insurance system in the United States is a long shot, no matter who is in office. President-elect Barack Obama has said if he could do it over, he would start with a one-payer system, but also said it's likely not realistic. Universal coverage for everyone probably won't happen in the next 20 years, if ever.
Mandates for businesses to offer or help employees buy coverage is a big part of Obama's reform plan. It is highly likely that business groups will not be for this, and that a U.S. Senate filibuster by the Republicans would be in order.
Another piece of Obama's plan was to allow every American to buy into the group health insurance plan that's currently only available for federal employees. On the surface, this seems like a good idea to let happen - the more participants in the group, the better they can negotiate with health insurance companies for lower rates. On the other hand, no one knows what this might cost the government and the taxpayers to fund.
The expansion of SCHIP has been a political battle since the Democrats took a majority in Congress two years ago. Twice they passed a sweeping expansion of coverage for more children, and twice it was vetoed by Republican President George W. Bush. But with the Democrats still in control and a president who himself voted for the expansion, look for this one to get passed under an Obama administration.
Changing medical records from paper to computers will lower the medical error numbers and improve the care quality. It will also lower administrative costs. We will be shocked if this way of medical recording doesn't happen soon.
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