The Specter of Fiscal Armageddon: Health Care and the Federal Budget in the United States.

The authors discuss the importance of understanding the basics of debt and deficits as well as their impact on health care reform considering the deeply entwined nature of health care policy and federal debt in the U.S. They say that during economic downturns, higher debt and larger deficits are expected as the government spending rises and tax revenue falls. They add that health care reform must be addressed while taking into consideration the long-term and short-term fiscal situation of the country. (March 17, 2010)