President Barack Obama has, by executive order, established an Office of Health Policy in the White House, with a parallel Office of Health Policy to be created in the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Office of Health Policy will operate as part of the White House executive office, and “provide leadership to the executive branch in establishing policies, priorities, and objectives for the Federal Government’s comprehensive effort to improve access to health care, the quality of such care, and the sustainability of the health care system.” The HHS office will coordinate closely with the White House office.
The new office will lead and coordinate the effort to provide “high-quality, affordable, and accessible health care and to slow the growth of health costs.” Staff will coordinate with the Domestic Policy Council, National Economic Council, Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Management and Budget, HHS, Office of Personnel Management, and other entities as needed.
The office also will work on public outreach, coordinate with state and local entities, present suggestions and ideas to the president, and monitor and advance the president’s health agenda.
In addition to those tasks, the newly created government entity and its director, liasons and subcommittees will “work with the Congress and executive departments and agencies to eliminate unnecessary legislative, regulatory, and other bureaucratic barriers that impede effective delivery of efficient and high-quality health care.”
