What's Ahead in 2013: Politics, Economy and Health Care

The issues that will top lawmakers' 2013 to-do list.

Same Old, Same Old - It seems like 2013 will look an awful lot like 2012 when it comes to certain issues. As President Obama and congressional lawmakers start their new terms, they will continue to face down the fiscal cliff and engage in heated debate about how to reduce the nation's growing deficit. What happens could affect the rest of the political agenda, says California Rep. Karen Bass. – Joyce Jones

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Same Old, Same Old - It seems like 2013 will look an awful lot like 2012 when it comes to certain issues. As President Obama and congressional lawmakers start their new terms, they will continue to face down the fiscal cliff and engage in heated debate about how to reduce the nation's growing deficit. What happens could affect the rest of the political agenda, says California Rep. Karen Bass. – Joyce Jones

Fiscal Cliff - Any deal hammered out between the White House and Congress to avert the fiscal cliff will likely be a temporary, short-term fix to prevent middle- and lower-income Americans from experiencing tax hikes. In 2013, negotiations will continue on spending cuts to discretionary domestic spending programs and entitlement reforms. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Fiscal Cliff - Any deal hammered out between the White House and Congress to avert the fiscal cliff will likely be a temporary, short-term fix to prevent middle- and lower-income Americans from experiencing tax hikes. In 2013, negotiations will continue on spending cuts to discretionary domestic spending programs and entitlement reforms. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Fiscal Cliff - Congress passed a bipartisan budget bill at the end of 2013 with little fanfare, but don't expect the spirit of cooperation to extend to raising the nation's debt ceiling. Obama and Democrats say they will not negotiate over this issue and Republicans are unlikely to want to raise the debt limit without offsetting at least some of the cost.   (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

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Debt Ceiling - The nation is scheduled to hit its debt ceiling on Dec. 31, earlier than anticipated. The Treasury Department will take steps to keep the United States from going into default on the massive amount owed, but lawmakers will have to act swiftly in the first couple of months in 2013 to prevent a major economic crisis. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Jobs - "The three things that will be on the agenda for me will be jobs, jobs and more jobs. You can't get a job unless you've got an education, you're healthy and you have a place to live," says New York Rep. Charles Rangel. "And you can't get a job unless we have the type of market in which people have resources in order to buy so that people will be able to sell." (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Jobs - "The three things that will be on the agenda for me will be jobs, jobs and more jobs. You can't get a job unless you've got an education, you're healthy and you have a place to live," says New York Rep. Charles Rangel. "And you can't get a job unless we have the type of market in which people have resources in order to buy so that people will be able to sell." (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Transportation Bill - "Our infrastructure is crumbling and everybody knows that. Democrats and Republicans are going to be almost forced by our constituents to come together on a decent transportation bill," said Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, adding that the legislation also would create many jobs. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Transportation Bill - "Our infrastructure is crumbling and everybody knows that. Democrats and Republicans are going to be almost forced by our constituents to come together on a decent transportation bill," said Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, adding that the legislation also would create many jobs. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Immigration Reform - The population growth among Latinos is making them a key electoral demographic. As Republicans try to win their support and Democrats fight to maintain it, the comprehensive immigration reform that didn't occur during Obama's first term as promised will become a top priority. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Immigration Reform - The population growth among Latinos is making them a key electoral demographic. As Republicans try to win their support and Democrats fight to maintain it, the comprehensive immigration reform that didn't occur during Obama's first term as promised will become a top priority. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Gun Control - After 20 children and six adults were senselessly massacred in Newtown, Connecticut, in December, lawmakers are finally addressing the issue of gun control. Led by Vice President Joe Biden, a special task force is expected to present proposals that would help prevent such violence and provide greater access to mental health services.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Gun Control - After 20 children and six adults were senselessly massacred in Newtown, Connecticut, in December, lawmakers are finally addressing the issue of gun control. Led by Vice President Joe Biden, a special task force is expected to present proposals that would help prevent such violence and provide greater access to mental health services. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Electronic Health Records - Insurers will be required to provide electronic health records, which will reduce paperwork and costs and make it easier for health care providers, from physicians to pharmacists, to access a patient's information.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Electronic Health Records - Insurers will be required to provide electronic health records, which will reduce paperwork and costs and make it easier for health care providers, from physicians to pharmacists, to access a patient's information. (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

Health Care Exchanges - States must begin creating health care exchanges, a transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can purchase affordable health plans.  (Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

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Health Care Exchanges - States must begin creating health care exchanges, a transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can purchase affordable health plans.  (Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

New Research Underway on Black Health in St. Louis - In hopes of creating better health policies, researchers from Washington University and Saint Louis University are teaming up to address racial health disparities among Blacks in the city of St. Louis. They will focus their work on a range of issues including risk factors for chronic conditions, access to care and mental health illnesses, says a Washington University press release. (Photo: LWA / Getty Images)

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Expanded Medicaid Options - States will have the option to receive new funding for their Medicaid programs to cover preventive services at little or no cost. (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)