There's nothing earth shattering in CBO Director Doug Elmendorf's testimony on the challenges and opportunities facing health reform. What's interesting is what isn't present: The hair-on-fire emphasis on cost containment that his predecessor, Peter Orszag, brought to similar presentations. Orszag argued that health care reform as the One Big Thing in securing a more sustainable path for our budget. He insisted on its urgency. Elmendorf, at least in this testimony, is rather more reserved. Related: My profile of Orszag, which details the changes he made to the CBO and his likely role in health reform. READING THE WONKS.
There's nothing earth shattering in CBO Director Doug Elmendorf's testimony on the challenges and opportunities facing health reform. What's interesting is what isn't present: The hair-on-fire emphasis on cost containment that his predecessor, Peter Orszag, brought to similar presentations. Orszag argued that health care reform as the One Big Thing in securing a more sustainable path for our budget. He insisted on its urgency. Elmendorf, at least in this testimony, is rather more reserved. Related: My profile of Orszag, which details the changes he made to the CBO and his likely role in health reform. 
