Driven by a slowing economy and the policy goals of a new administration, healthcare reform is once again a national priority. The economic crisis is adding millions of people to the rolls of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), while the Obama Administration is planning to fulfill a major campaign pledge to make healthcare more
accessible and affordable for all Americans.

In an era of scarce resources and increasing public debt, the U.S. government must carefully and responsibly manage costs and target resources as part of any sustainable healthcare program expansion.