| In the end of November 2009, the US federal budget for 2009 was published. Though Obama presided the country for only 9 months during the fiscal year, the press reported that he has done a record budgetary expenditure in the first year of Presidency: in the first year, the budget expenditure reached 3.52 trillion dollars (or 2.8 trillion considering the prices of 2000 with inflation), thus, the budget deficit stood at 1.4 trillion against 400 billion in 2008. Comparative figures were published in the press: in 2001, during the first year of presidency of Bush Jr had spent 1.8 trillion dollars and Bill Clinton in 1993 - 1.6 trillion (both amounts - according to prices of 2000). Anti-recession plans of the administration of Bush Jr and Obama were included in the 3.52 trillion dollars, expenditure in 2009. It was reported that, in the 2010 draft budget, Obama, probably, will try to reduce the deficit at the expense of the 700 billion anti-recession plan of his predecessor.
On March 22, 2010, the House of Representatives approved the main draft reform of public health services, by virtue of which, 95% of the country's population would receive medical insurance by 2014. On March 24, without waiting for Senate's decisions regarding compromise amendments to the draft reform (republicans could delay the approval of final version of the bill) Obama signed the draft bill. Soon after the signing, 14 states moved the court for cancellation of reform, referring to the constitution: according to their opinion, the state has no right to introduce mandatory medical insurance and interfere in the affairs of states, by approving the bill without outlining finances for its implementation. Despite resistance from republicans, on March 25, the democrats could pass an additional bill through the Senate and House of Representatives, which included the compromise amendments to draft reform, regarding an increase in subsidies to pensioners, students, under-privileged and middle class people for buying medical insurance. The bill was signed by Obama on March 30. |
