-- The recovery Act will temporarily increase Federal Medicaid funding to help States facing budget shortfalls maintain their current programs.

-- The Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization Act of 2009 extends the program through 2013 by providing an additional $44 billion in allotments above baseline funding levels of $25 billion.


--Increases resources to detect, prevent, and treat HIV/AIDS domestically, especially in underserved populations.

-- Invests $330 million to address the shortage of health care providers in certain areas, including expanding loan repayment programs for physicians, nurses, and dentists who agree to practice in medically underserved areas, which will enhance the capacity of nursing schools to increase the number of nurses.

-- Includes over $4 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to support and expand the provision of health care services and public health programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

-- Includes $211 million for research into the causes of and treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders, including screenings, public awareness, and support services.

--Includes $73 million to improve both access to and quality of health care in rural areas.

Not surprisingly, there are diverse opinions as to the workability of the Administration's Budget. A statement from Robert Greenstein, Executive Director of the think tank Center on Budget & Policy Priorities said, "The President's budget represents a bold and courageous proposal to make progress in restoring fiscal discipline while addressing two central problems of our time - a broken health care system and the threat of catastrophic global warming - and other national needs."

Conversely, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) commented on his website: "...I have serious concerns with this budget, which demands hardworking American families and job creators turn over more of their hard-earned money to the government to pay for unprecedented spending increases....In the coming weeks, we need to see further details and go line by line through the budget."

Sources:

General Printing Office: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fy10/pdf/fy10-newera.pdf

White House press release: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-nominates-Governor-Kathleen-Sebelius-Secretary-of-HHS-Announces-Release-of-155-Million-of-ARRA-Funds-for-Health-Clinics-Across-America/

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: http://www.cbpp.org/2-26-09bud-stmt.htm

Rep. Mitch McConnell: http://mcconnell.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=308754&start=1


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