The Health Care Revolution, 2011 Edition

The new Congress will stage an early vote on outright repeal of the Democrats' healthcare reform. After that vote fails though, the GOP's real work begins.

Kaiser Family Foundation offers a helpful timeline of the portions of the federal healthcare law that go into effect in 2011.

Among them:

• Last year, health insurers were required to report the percentage of their income they spent on non-clinical services. This year, insurers that spend too much on administration and profit will begin to face federal penalties.
• More subsidies for prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
• Higher Medicare premiums for beneficiaries earning over $85,000 a year.
• Demonstration grants to states to find alternatives to the tort system for malpractice claims.
• More money to states to pay for long-term care under Medicaid.
• Nutritional labeling for menu items at chain restaurants.
• Grants to states to begin setting up health care exchanges.

The new Congress will stage an early vote on outright repeal of the Democrats' healthcare reform. That vote will be noisy and exciting. After it fails, the real work will have to begin: sorting through the provisions of the law to determine which measures Republicans should build coalitions to amend, which we can live with, and which we should actively support. (Yes, there are some.)

This is a topic to which FrumForum will be returning again and again in 2011. Until then - we wish all our readers a happy, secure, and more prosperous New Year.