The Fed has Spoken, What Will You Invest In?

02/19/09 12:31am

SOURCE: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009     VISIT SOURCE

On February 17, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law with a $787 billion price tag.

$147 billion of the Act was set aside for health-related spending as follows:

$111 billion (3/4 of the allocation) to additional federal matching payments for state Medicaid programs and continuation of health insurance for unemployed workers.

$19 billion for health information technology. $17 billion of this will be used for financial incentives in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

$10 billion to the National Institutes of Health for research grants they choose to fund, construction and equipment.

$4 billion to the Departments of Defense, Veteran Affairs and Health Resources and Services Administration for construction and renovation of government run facilities.

$1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research which will be administered through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the NIH, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

$1 billion for prevention and wellness with the majority of these funds directed towards chronic disease as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.


$787 billion in total spending...
$147 billion in health care allocations...
$1 billion in Prevention and Wellness...

I am not surprised to see the Reinvestment Act non-investment in true wellness related initiatives.

It is now very clear. Maintaining your health and pursuing wellness is on your shoulders.

Let there be no doubt. Your personal commitment, study and allocation of personal resources will determine the quality of your current and future health. Your health is now your responsibility and something that you must fully invest in.

My responsibility, as a physician, is to equip you with the tools you need to be successful. So my American Health Recovery and Reinvestment Act is to invest fully in you, the one who has the most influence on your future health!

Scott VanLue, M.D.
Executive Medical Director
Everything Well