The Washington scene.

Abstract

Presentation of an overview of federal policy in health care. The use of omnibus budget bills to "hide" unpopular costs has led to some reductions in health care costs because legislators were less aware of specific details. The Reagan administration has expressed the view that health care, like other economic products, should be subject to competition in the marketplace. It has also promoted a transfer of responsibility for health care from the federal government to the states. Such Federal policy making has stimulated growth of alternative health care systems.