The White House said it wants to bolster spending on health information technology under President Barack Obama's fiscal 2011 budget.  In its spending breakdown, the administration plans to push for $110 million more for wiring doctors' offices and hospitals; $290 million for community health centers; and $79 million for rural healthcare.

On the issue of healthcare reform, and emboldened by their surprise victory in the Massachusetts Senate race, Republicans are urging Democrats to start over on crafting a truly bipartisan health care bill. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi in the House and Harry Reid in the Senate are considering their options, which include using a series of controversial maneuvers to attach the bill to budget votes. The Democratic leaders are worried that they won't be able to get the support needed in a traditional vote. Another option is to listen to the Republicans and start over.

It is important to note that the budget itself, however, assumes that major health reform legislation would be approved this year.