Systemic Health Reform Will Occur Under Obama

The Facts

Senator Kennedy's Senior Health Policy Advisor John McDonough, one of the key architects of the health reform effort, spoke at McDermott's Washington, D.C., office last week on the outlook for health reform. Other speakers included principals from Speaker Pelosi's health care advisory team, Families USA and America's Health Insurance Plans.

McDonough affirmed that systemic health reform will happen in this Congress. Unlike in the Clinton years, all stakeholders are aligned and coordinating towards this end.

Both the House and Senate intend to pass bills by the August 2009 recess. If Republicans block reform in 2009, the Democrats will change tactics to accomplish reform through budget reconciliation, which is not subject to filibuster.