Since our Round Table on December 4, 2002 addressing “The Health Care Crisis: Issues for Employers,” we have continued to witness escalating costs in health care treatment and insurance premiums, increasing numbers of uninsured and problems delivering quality health care.  President Obama has made health care reform a priority in his administration charging Congress to pass legislation on health care reform this year. 

On September 16, HARRT will host a panel of experts on Health Care Reform to present the options being considered for discussion.  Our featured speaker, Gerald F. Kominski, Professor of Health Services and Associate Director of the Center for Health Policy Research, will give an overview of the current situation in health care and the factors contributing to escalating costs, inefficiencies and variable quality in health care from a multi-stakeholder perspective.   He will examine the underlying cost structure and controls, review improvements to date and identify directions for change including incentives and strategies for reducing costs and improving health care.  Included in his analysis will be a review of the legislation before Congress and the degree to which it will address the current health care crisis and the impact it will have for employers. 

A panel of experts representing economics, political science, health and public policy as well as health systems strategy and effectiveness will share their perspectives on the current political climate, likely outcomes and impact on stakeholders.   Individuals on the panel are:

Arleen Leibowitz, Ph.D.
Professor of Public Policy, UCLA School of Public Affairs

Mark A. Peterson, MD, MBA
Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, UCLA School of Public Affairs

Stanley W. Stead, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Stead Health Group

We have set aside an hour for members to pose questions of the four experts for the information necessary to construct probable scenarios for their respective strategic planning efforts. Time permitting, our experts can share health care initiatives, best practices and research being conducted at UCLA that provide more innovative solutions to improving the health care system for the future.