|
|
|
|
| |
|
Alumni Day 2009 |
|
|
|
Alumni Day 2009Experts to Focus on Healthcare Reform at Alumni Day 2009
The United States Census Bureau estimates that one in six Americans under the age of 65—a total of 45.7 million people—had no health insurance at some point in the year 2007. This is due in large part to the continued decline of employer–sponsored health coverage. The populations most often reporting a lack of insurance were the poor, non–citizen immigrants, and people of color. Since 1999, health insurance premiums have risen faster than both wages and inflation. The government estimates the nation will spend 16% of its income or $2.5 trillion on healthcare this year, an average of $8,160 per person. That number is expected to almost double by the year 2016. In contrast, other developed nations spend between 11 and 12 percent of their annual income on healthcare costs. How can the United States be a preeminent nation in the 21st century without an accessible, affordable, high–quality healthcare system? The answer is simple: it is not possible. It is an arresting statistic that the U.S. now spends more on healthcare than it does on food. Is the U.S. spending more on healthcare because Americans are sicker than populations in its peer countries? The evidence shows that, on average, the U.S. population does not carry a higher disease burden. A multitude of factors, spread across the system, contribute to the greater expense of the U.S. healthcare system. However, research shows that the overriding cause of high U.S. healthcare costs is the failure of the intermediation system to provide incentives for consumers to be value–conscious and to promote rational supply by providers. Undoubtedly, the reduction of costs is an essential component of an accessible, high–quality healthcare system—coupled with programs aimed at wellness and disease prevention. Such programs, particularly those that target the reduction of diseases with high–cost treatments, would not only improve the nation’s health, but would, in turn, reduce costs. Public health professionals must be at the forefront of health care reform. This year’s Alumni Day symposium will provide a forum for public health professionals to engage in a robust debate about the plethora of issues related to health care reform. The morning keynote, “Healthcare Reform: A Medical Emergency,” will be given by Dr. David U. Himmelstein, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of the division of Social and Community Medicine at Cambridge Hospital. A faculty–alumni panel on “Healthcare Reform: A Public Health Opportunity,” moderated by Michael H. Owens, M.D. ’78, M.P.H. ’78 , regional medical director of the Molina Health Care in San Diego, will include: Bradford A. Buxton, M.P.H. ’78, president, BTB Associates and principal, HES Advisors, Northfield, Ill.; Mark W. Legnini, Dr.P.H. ’88, research director, Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.; Robert V. Levine, M.P.H. ’80, president and Chief Executive Officer, Peninsula Hospital Center, Far Rockaway, N.Y.; and Mark J. Schlesinger, professor of the division of Health Policy and Administration here at YSPH. Honored at the annual Awards Luncheon this year will be David L. Katz, M.D. ’93, M.P.H. ’93, who will be the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Service Award; and Melinda Pettigrew, Ph.D. ’99, associate professor in the division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, who will receive the 2009 Eric W. Mood New Professionals Award. Public Service Honor Roll inductees will be Evangeline Franklin M.D. ’82, M.P.H. ’82; Vandine Or, M.D. ’96, M.P.H. ’96; Peter Orris, M.P.H. ’70; and Romericus Stewart, M.P.H. ’97.
To view events from Alumni Day, please click on one of the following events: Please note you must have Real Player installed on your computer to view these videos. You can download Real Player here.
|
|
|
 |
|
