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An overused, but still valid staple of political commentators is "follow the money," but when it comes to health reform, another useful exercise is to follow the key staffers.
In a clear sign that Congress intends to make a full court press on health reform this year, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman has loaded up his bench with some all-stars in the health policy field. He already had an impressive team, including the highly-regarded Karen Nelson, Senior Health Specialist and Andy Schneider, Chief Health Counsel. Now, rumor has it that the Chairman of this committee critical to health reform is bringing back a number of his most seasoned staffers from over the years.
Jack Ebeler, a health care consultant who has served as a leading official on health policy in the Clinton Administration and more recently has served as director of the Alliance of Community Health Plans is heading back to Waxman's office to serve as the point-person on Waxman's health reform efforts;
Ruth Katz, a 30-year veteran of disability and long-term care issues who recently was serving as Dean of the School of Public Health and Health Services and a Professor at George Washington University Medical Center also is reportedly rejoining the team; and
Tim Westmoreland, a longtime aide who left to run the Medicaid program at the end of the Clinton era and now is a Professor of Law at Georgetown University, is ramping up his consulting role with the committee.
These are very experienced people and the fact that they are returning is a clear signal that this round of health reform efforts isn't being treated as a regular season game - we're heading into a Final Four of health reform efforts.
For more on signals of the seriousness with which health reform is being pursued, also check out Paul Krugman's latest blog posting.
And don't forget that long-time Waxman Chief of Staff Phil Schiliro is now in the White House. He's Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. I agree, Waxman is the guy to watch on health reform.