HEALTH REFORM: THE DEVIL IS STILL IN THE DETAILS; AN AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION FORUM JULY 17 IN SAN DIEGO

July 8, 2009 (San Diego) -- Health Reform will impact all of us. Proposals are emerging from Congress, the White House, organizations and groups across the country. By July, several strong proposals will be taking shape and major issues clearly on the table. Successful health reform should address not only how coverage and access to care will be provided, but also how that coverage will be financed though taxes, provider payment reductions, insurance reforms and savings. To assess those issues, a broad coalition of healthcare and business interests  led by San Diegans for Healthcare Coverage is hosting “Health Reform, The Devil is Still in the Details,” an audience participation forum on Friday, July 17 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Mission Valley Doubletree, 7450 Hazard Center Drive in San Diego. 

SDHCC and its subsidiary, the San Diego Business Healthcare Connection, were formed out of the Improving Access to Healthcare (IAH) project, initiated by the County of San Diego to focus on a federal demonstration waiver to expand healthcare coverage in the region.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Len Nichols, Director for Health Policy, The New America Foundation and a policy analyst in the thick of the debate in Washington. Discussion will include the latest developments and issues at the heart of the debate for health reform and financing.
 

• Public Option or Plan. Will there be one and what will it look like?
• Employer Roles. Will all employers be required to pay or play?
• Individual Mandates. Will there be affordable coverage options for everyone?
• Insurance Reforms. Will there be reforms that protect consumers and help control costs?
• Health Systems. What role will performance and technology play in improving care and costs?
• Financing. How will health reform be paid for?
 

Joining Dr. Nichols will be Ms. Sara Rogers, California Senate Health Consultant and key staff on SB810, California’s single-payor legislation; Mr. Vincent Mudd, CEO of SDOI, a local business leader and member of the State Compensation Board; and a hospital CEO (invited) to speak to the implications of reform proposals on healthcare providers and employers. Dr. Robert K. Ross, President and CEO of The California Endowment will moderate the panel discussion and questions from the audience and VIP Panel.

An Audience Response System will be used to secure input from the audience.

The event, which costs $20, is cosponsored by Alliance Healthcare Foundation, Community Health Improvement Partners, Consumer Center for Health Education and Advocacy, Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Kaiser Permanente-San Diego, Ledford Enterprises, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego Council of Community Clinics, San Diego County Medical Society, San Diego Office of Interiors, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Scripps Health, and Sharp Healthcare.
 

To register, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1hicsIahBO0XU9uxpVw2GQ_3d_3d .