Health Care Reform and the Federal Budget
"Today CBO delivered letters to Senators Kent Conrad and Judd Gregg that respond to their request for information about the features of health care reform proposals that would affect federal spending on health care over the long term. In the absence of significant changes in policy, rising costs for health care will cause federal spending to grow much faster than the economy, putting the federal budget on an unsustainable path. To elucidate the possible effects of major legislation affecting health care and health insurance on the federal budget, CBO’s analysis examines the budget outlook under current law; the likely budgetary effect of efforts to expand the scope of insurance coverage; the potential for reducing health care spending; the likely impact of specific changes in the health system; and mechanisms for engendering efficiency gains in health care over time..."