As Congress begins to actively debate the nuances of “reform” that will deliver the President’s objectives, several voices will carry particular weight in the debate in the weeks ahead.  Our event’s confirmed speakers include several of the people behind those voices:

Tom Lorentzen
Former Region IX HHS Administrator

The Impact of "Comparative Effectiveness" - Post Reform

Carolyn M. Clancy, MD, Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

As one of 12 agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, AHRQ supports health services research initiatives that seek to improve the quality of health care by improving “the quality, safety, efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Americans.”  No wonder Carolyn was among the first to be appointed to the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research.  She’ll share with us, via video conference, “The Anticipated Impact of ‘Comparative Effectiveness Research’ in Reforming Healthcare,” as well as how she believes “cost” should factor into research, and how the FCCCER might help HHS address health disparities.

The "Reform Panel" - Three Phases of Healthcare Reform

Jennie Chin Hansen, AARP President
What Seniors (& Not-Quite Seniors) Want Now

Jennie Chin Hansen is now in her second year of a two-year term as President of AARP, where she previously served for two years are President-Elect. She is also a member of AARP Services Board (AARP’s taxable entity), and has been a senior fellow at UCSF's Center for the Health Professions. With over 39 million members, AARP is the nation’s largest membership organization representing the rapidly growing 50+ population.
 

Gerry Hinkley, HIT expert/Partner, Davis, Wright, Tremaine
Determining “Meaningful Use” for EMR Stimulus Investment

Gerry Hinkley is a partner in the San Francisco office of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, practicing in the area of health care law, with an emphasis on transactions and regulatory compliance.  Gerry has also become extremely knowledgeable about Health IT, and what it's going to take to tap the $19 billion in Stimulus financing - up to $64,000 per physician - to bring EMRs into medical practices across the county - as long as they can prove "meaningful" use.  He is also a member of the prestigious Markle Foundation that is contributing mightily to the definition of "meaningful use." 

Tom Lorentzen, Former Director, HHS,  Region IX
And Now a Word from the Other Side of the Aisle

Tom Lorentzen served in three Presidential administrations, those of: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.  Most recently – until earlier this year – as the Regional Director for the Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Mike Leavitt.  In this capacity he was responsible for all HHS activities in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific.  Earlier in his political career he was the Director of Private Sector Initiatives and Associate Administrator for Business Development at the US Small Business Administration.   Thus, we’re asking Tom to share with us how he believes Washington’s evolving Health Reform plan/s will play with small businesses, the nation’s “engine of growth,” as well as the larger ones.