Clinton's tooth-fairy financing.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Public Finance
• Health Economics

Background:

• The Clinton administration proposed a comprehensive health reform plan.
• Financing this plan involved significant fiscal projections and policy changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the political and financial feasibility of President Clinton's health reform financing proposal.
• To assess the potential impact of the proposed financing on vulnerable populations and government fiscal management.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the proposed financing mechanisms and revenue generation strategies.
• Review of historical federal government forecasting accuracy for new benefit programs.
• Comparative assessment of proposed savings against international benchmarks.

Main Results:

• The financing plan was deemed politically unrealistic by supporters.
• The proposal projected substantial, potentially unmatched, savings.
• The plan's reliance on federal forecasting was questioned due to past inaccuracies.

Conclusions:

• The proposed health reform financing carries significant risks.
• Potential negative impacts on elderly and poor populations require careful consideration.
• The plan's fiscal assumptions may not be sustainable or achievable.