Spreading the Safety Net — Obstacles to the Expansion of Community Health Centers

During the presidency of George W. Bush, his administration's agenda of “compassionate conservatism” — with its emphasis on market-based, rather than government-sponsored, approaches to health care services and income support — has been rejected by Democrats innumerable times. This philosophical conflict has resulted in stalemates on many health care issues, and the administration's proposed 2009 budget, which calls for reductions of $200.9 billion in Medicare and Medicaid spending over the next 5 years, only deepens the political divide between the parties. Amidst this partisan standoff, however, Bush has remained resolute in fulfilling one early campaign pledge that most Democrats enthusiastically . . .