Summary
The article posted in the Federal Computer Week web site on April 8th speaks of President Obama's creation of an Office of Health Reform. By creating this office within the White House, it shows Obama's dedication to making real change within healthcare to improve quality, decrease costs and increase access. The article states that the role of this person will be to break down barriers that occur across both the financial and health sectors within congress and other areas of government. By specifically naming both health and financial committees and governmental entities, it shows the understanding of the tie between health and wealth. Few others have shown this level of understanding regarding the overlap of the two issues.
Analysis
In creating this new office of Health Reform within the White House, the President has clearly shown that he is serious in making changes in the US healthcare system. Unfortunately, the concern should be as to whether there are too many cooks in the kitchen. The article states that HHS will also have a Office of Health Reform. Unfortunately, how these two roles differ with others that already exist has not been elucidated. Responsibilities of this office include integration and coordination of reform activities while eliminating barriers and waste. Does the addition of this Office increase the problem or solve it is yet to be seen. On the other hand, the role of this office in coordinating activities both in the health care sector and financial sector is very important. Up until this point many of those that have looked to reform healthcare in the US have not seen the strong ties between health and wealth, with one affecting the other in a number of ways.
