President Barack Obama
The Commander in Chief has shown his influence over the health care system through his pioneering of the most significant health care reform legislation in decades. But his leadership will face even sterner tests in 2011 on both the legislative and judicial fronts. After a Virginia court decision said it is unconstitutional to require individuals to purchase medical coverage, 20 other states lined up behind similar challenges to PPACA. And in dealing with the new Congress, Obama will again need to explore compromises in adjusting the law, especially with newly empowered members of the GOP who dont wish to be seen as compromising. All will test the powers of Obamas persuasion. Just before the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, President Obama underlined the legislations significance. Is this the single most important step that we have taken on health care since Medicare? Absolutely. Is this the most important piece of domestic legislation in terms of giving a break to hardworking middle class families out there since Medicare? Absolutely. Is this a vast improvement over the status quo? Absolutely, he said.
Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio)
In his new role as the Speaker of the House replacing Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) will have considerable sway over what appropriations will be given to implementing PPACA. He has vociferously declared his opposition to the health care reform law passed in March and has vowed to repeal and replace the landmark legislation. After Republicans won the House in the most recent election, Boehner promised, "I think it's important for us to lay the groundwork before we begin to repeal this monstrosity and replace it with commonsense reforms that will bring down the cost of health care in America."
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, Health and Human Services
As Secretary of the Health and Human Services department, Kathleen Sebelius oversees the implementation of the recent health care reform legislation. This is broad task as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes about 3,000 references starting with "The Secretary of Health and Human Services should " At a National Business Coalition on Health conference in November, Sebelius optimistically proclaimed that "Today, its possible to envision a future where employers are no longer shackled by soaring costs and poor outcomes; where businesses can invest in a healthy and productive workforce; where employees get the right care at the right time, each and every time; and where providers get the right incentive to provide the care that we know works best."
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
As Chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) continues to play an integral role in health care and benefits policy and was integral in drafting PPACA. "It's not perfect, nothing's perfect, but I'm telling you it's a good start," Baucus said in an August interview. "Mark my words, several years from now you're going to look back and say, 'Eh, maybe it isn't so bad.'"
Jacob Lew, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Appointed in July 2010, Jacob Lew succeeds Peter Orszag as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. In this position (that he previously held in the Clinton administration), he prepares the federal budget and has considerable clout in advising the White House how to appropriate funds, including the many needed to implement health care reform.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Though not chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking minority member of the committee, has formed tight relationships on both sides of the aisle and will continue to hold power over health care issues facing the Senate. While he participated in the committees construction of a health care bill over the past two years, he ultimately felt thwarted by Democratic leaders and went on to oppose PPACA.
Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
Although he barely beat Republican challenger Sharron Angle to serve another term in the Senate, the Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will continue to dictate the priorities of the congressional body. Reid was adamant about the benefits of the health care reform act and will continue to champion its implementation. We believe in protecting existing coverage when it is good, improving it when it is not, and guaranteeing health care for the millions who have none, Reid said on the Senate floor in December 2010.
Donald Berwick, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The former President and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Cambridge, Mass., Donald Berwick now takes on the role as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. President Obama controversially appointed Berwick administrator during a 2010 congressional summer recess saving a strenuous and drawn-out confirmation process.