Important Things are Frequently Boring, "Clue" is not

The New England Journal of Medicine published this very interesting, albeit very dry, article on the costs and benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed into law on March 23, 2010. In light of my previous post regarding the deficit, it seems appropriate to point out that the article states that "analysis by the Congressional Budget Office and the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) actuary show that the ACA will substantially reduce the deficit, only slightly increase national medical spending (despite an enormous expansion in insurance coverage), begin to reduce the growth rate of medical spending, and introduce various new initiatives that may lead to more fundamental reductions in the long-term rate of health care cost growth."

The Journal also describes the ACA as "the most significant piece of U.S. social policy legislation in almost 50 years," so do yourself a favor and read the article. It's boring and a little confusing, but it's history and the policy will have an effect on every American. It's good to know which side of the fence you are on and why. When you are done you can reward yourself by looking at this picture.

On a note of similar importance, if you haven't seen the movie "Clue," do it. It's arguably the best comedy that you've never seen.