Vocational and medical rehabilitation: the impact of health care policy and funding on service provision

The United States economy is experiencing an environment of diminishing resources for social and human service programs. Government expenditures for such programs, as a percentage of the Gross National Product [...]
As a public program, the State-federal Rehabilitation Program continues to be affected by public policy and public opinion. In order to justify continuous and increased public funding, both vocational and medical rehabilitation must be responsive to the call for accountability and fiscal responsibility in healthcare and service delivery. The purpose of this article is to discuss healthcare policy development and reform as it relates to persons with disabilities who receive medical and vocational rehabilitation services. Attention is given to trends in acute care, financial issues, and programmatic issues.