News

February 2010

Health Policy at a Glance

In This Issue:

White House Releases FY 2011 Budget
House and Senate Leadership Continue to Negotiate Healthcare Reform Legislation
Summa Welcomes National Thought Leaders to Annual Meeting
Public Health Consolidation Process on Track

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Past Issues

White House Releases FY 2011 Budget

President Barack Obama released a fiscal year 2011 budget blueprint totaling $3.8 trillion and calling for a 5.7 percent increase in spending over the FY 2010 budget.

The proposal does not contain a specific budgetary allocation for anticipated healthcare reform, but according to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, it lays the "platform" for healthcare reform to move forward. Other highlights from the Department of HHS budget are:

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House and Senate Leadership Continue to Negotiate Healthcare Reform Legislation

The prospects for healthcare reform this year are now up in the air as House and Senate Democrats struggle to work out a compromise following the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat formerly held by the late Edward M. Kennedy. The special election victory for Republicans has left Democrats one vote shy of the supermajority needed to pass a healthcare reform bill of the scope imagined in the previously passed House and Senate bills.

[ Click to read the full article ]

Summa Welcomes National Thought Leaders to Annual Meeting

On February 3-4, 2010, Summa Health System hosted its annual Board of Directors leadership retreat. The 2010 retreat focused largely on Bridging Two Worlds, a concept that leadership embraces to ensure the system thrives in current and future change environments.

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Public Health Consolidation Process on Track

The Health District Merger Feasibility Study Committee met on February 9 to review consultant recommendations regarding merging the resources of the Akron Health Department and the Summit County Health District. The Committee is comprised of diverse public and private sector leadership. The group met on a monthly basis to oversee the planning process to merge city and county public health operations. The Committee has authorized that public forums be held in February and March to raise awareness of the merger and gather feedback regarding existing services. The meetings will be facilitated by the Akron Urban League in community-based settings.