The Senate on Jan. 28 approved a resolution
that would increase the federal debt limit by $1.9 trillion, raising
the legal limit for government borrowing to an unprecedented $14.3
trillion. In an amendment introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reed (D-Nev.), "pay-as-you-go" rules would be reinstated. Under
"pay-as-you-go" policies, any new spending or tax cuts would have
to be offset by corresponding spending cuts or tax increases. However,
the amendment also includes $1.6 trillion in exceptions that would
allow Congress to extend expiring tax cuts and reverse the 21 percent
reduction in Medicare payments to physicians without offsetting
the costs.
State of the Union highlights
important issues for academic medicine
On Jan. 27, President Obama delivered the State
of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, touching
on many issues important to academic medicine, including health
care reform. The president urged Congress to "take another look
at the plan" and not walk away from reform. He further indicated
that he would be receptive to other proposals that would bring down
the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors,
and stop insurance company abuses. Also, in the wake of large investments
in basic research, starting in 2011, the president said there will
be a freeze on all discretionary government spending for three years,
with the exception of "spending related to our national security,
Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security." In addition, President
Obama reiterated his commitment to end the Federal Family Education
Loan program, in favor of a college tax credit and increasing Pell
Grants, and acknowledged his support for the Public Service Loan
Forgiveness Program.
Safety net providers weather the recession
According to a study by the Center
for Studying Health System Change (HSC), the financial impact
on health care safety net providers during the recession has been
less severe than expected. Mainly, funding from the 2009 American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped offset losses in state, local,
and private funding and allowed for increased support for "hospitals
serving disproportionate numbers of low-income and Medicaid patients."
However, the report also concluded that these providers were, most
likely, experiencing increased demands for care before the recession,
and have been receiving assistance from federal grants to community
health centers over the past decade.
New paper examines trends and developments
in promoting diversity
The American Council on Education (ACE) and the College Board released
a new policy paper on major developments and trends in access and
diversity in higher education. "A
21st- Century Imperative: Promoting Access and Diversity in Higher
Education" describes significant points that emerged out of
an ACE roundtable discussion by higher education leaders on diversity.
Considerations for new policies moving forward include identifying
and measuring ways diversity and positive educational outcomes are
linked, how to factor the issue of merit into educational initiatives,
and expanding the definition of diversity. An Access
and Diversity Toolkit for Higher Education Professionals was
also developed to help institutions implement policies.
