Political Dispute Halts Consideration of Important Health Care Workforce Issues

Panel On Health Care Work Force, Lacking A Budget, Is Left Waiting by Robert Pear.  The New York Times.  February 24, 2013.

Medical and health care workforce issues are important in light of changing demographics and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  To confront these issues the health care law established a 15 member commission to address such issues as physician supply and enhanced use of professionals such as physician assistants.  However, due to continuing resistance by Republicans to funding anything to facilitate the implementation of the ACA, the commission has not met.  Indeed, according to the article, members are not to have contact with each other, in the absence of funding.