The Fiscal Cliff and Health: A Scary Combination

Our take: The looming words "fiscal cliff" has weighed heavy on many American's minds lately. If the nation goes over the fiscal cliff, serious consequences for health care could result. Scientific research and public health programs would receive funding cuts. As well as, ACA's Prevention and Public Health Fund could be cut $76 million, according to Kathy Lim Ko's article on The Huffington Post's blog. Ko explains other resulting damage for health care:

"New trending topic: the fiscal cliff. Washington loves its metaphors and the fiscal cliff is no exception. Unless Congress and the administration reach a new compromise, come Jan. 2, 2013, discretionary spending, or what most people really consider 'government' education, transportation and health will be slashed by 8.2 percent.

This has dire consequences for the nation's economy. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the economy will shrink and unemployment will rise."

Read more about Fiscal cliff and health on The Huffington Post.