Prominent State and National Speakers Slated for NSU’s Second Annual Health Care Conference January 18

January 16, 2003

Contact:
Jennifer Meriam, Director (954) 262-5355
Mike Laderman, Associate Director, (954) 262-5354
Mara Kiffin, Coordinator, (954) 262-5350

Speakers include the President of the American Medical Association, the President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the President of the Florida Senate, the CEO of AARP, and the Managing Director, State Affairs, American Association of Health Plans

Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Health Professions Division (HPD) will host its second annual conference on health care access, entitled: “A Glimpse of the Future of Health Care in America.” The two-day conference will begin on Friday, January 17 with a free two-hour community forum. On Saturday, January 18 there will be an all-day conference highlighting prominent state and national speakers in the HPD complex at 3200 University Drive in Davie.

On Saturday, January 18, a distinguished panel of experts will address topics pertaining to health care access in 2003¾ with emphasis on the financial aspects of health care. Senator James “Jim” E. King, Jr., president of the Florida Senate will be a featured speaker, along with keynote speakers Yank Coble, Jr. M.D., president of the American Medical Association, Mary Alexander, J.D., president, Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Other guest speakers include William E. Novelli, chief executive officer of AARP, and George Atkins, managing director, State Affairs of the American Association of Health Plans.

According to Florida State Senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who is chairing the event for the second year, the conference addresses the most important health issues of our time, with emphasis on the 42 million Americans who are without health coverage.

“We are facing a crisis in America where millions of citizens are without access to quality, affordable health care,” said Senator Wasserman Schultz. “The Health Professions Division at NSU inaugurated this conference to advance the dialogue on access to health care in America. Our goal is to work towards developing solutions to this burgeoning problem.”

A wide-range of topics surrounding the financial aspects of access to health care will be addressed, including:

Insurance and medication affordability.
Reimbursement issues, medical malpractice reform
Insurance and tort reform.
Universal health care.
Access and cost of prescription drugs.
Non-citizens access to health care.
Terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

The conference will take place on Friday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. On Friday, the community is invited to attend a forum on Health Care Affordability and Access. There is no charge for the two-hour forum, which will allow the public to interact with members of the panel. There is a registration fee of $95 for Saturday, which includes a breakfast, a luncheon, and a cocktail reception. (The conference is approved for Continuing Education credits.) For reservations on Saturday, call (954) 262-1597 or 800-356-0026, ext. 21597, or call Karen Perez at (954)-262-1501. Or email kperez@nova.edu or visit our website: nova.edu/cah/future/health/