Johnson County Science Cafe

Patient Protection Affordable Care Act: The interaction of politics and healthcare delivery in the U.S (Obamacare).

Speakers: Delores Furtado, PhD., Professor Emerita, Department of Microbiology, University of Kansas School of Medicine
              
Date: December 4, 2012

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Coaches Bar and Grill, 9089 W. 135th Street, one block west of 135th and Antioch, south side of 135th St.

A brief look at what drove President Obama to create this legislation, what in the Act has already been implemented, the beneficiaries of implementation and changes yet to be realized.  The big contest will be between state governments and the federal government.  Some requirements will be regarded as an erosion of power of individuals and of groups.  The arguments may distract us but we must keep the goal in mind, that is, to control the annual increases in the cost of health care be it increases in the cost of insurance premiums and in the cost of provider services.  Will we, as a society, tolerate political gridlock OR will we,  as a society, put the needs of the people including our own personal benefits ahead of politics?   Understanding the opportunities the ACA brings will help each of us take an informed position with regard to health care reform.

Dr. Furtado was a Faculty member in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine for over 30 years.  She is currently Professor Emerita.  Subsequent to retirement she was elected Johnson County Commissioner and then to the Kansas House of Representatives to represent District 19 (within Overland Park).  She continues to serve on a number of Boards that have a health policy or a tie to providing health services to the most vulnerable.
 
Her undergraduate education (BS) from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and then at the University of Michigan for her MS and Ph.D. degrees in Microbiology.

For more information: biologycctrack@hotmail.com