Reforming Medicare: Where Do We Go From Here?

Conference Agenda

8:30 a.m. Registration                 
Continental breakfast sponsored by Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson

9:00-10:00 a.m. Welcome
Pamela Larson, executive vice president, National Academy of Social Insurance

Medicare's Political and Financial Future
Moderated by Susan Foote, associate professor, University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Marilyn Moon, president, National Academy of Social Insurance (Presentation)

Lawrence Jacobs, Joan and Walter F. Mondale Chair for Political Studies, and director, Center for the Study of Politics and Governance

10:00-11:30 a.m.Medicare Part D: The Prescription Drug Benefit
A discussion on implementation issues and the role of private health plans in Medicare Part D

A National Progress Report
Robert Rosenblatt, journalist and senior fellow, National Academy of Social Insurance

How has the enrollment process and transition worked in Minnesota?
Brian Osberg, assistant commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Peter Wyckoff, metro region director, Minnesota Senior Federation (Presentation)

Steve Schondelmeyer, professor and director, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota

Representative, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Luncheon
Introduction by Skip Humphrey, president AARP Minnesota

Remarks by Lois Quam, CEO of Ovations, UnitedHealth Group
The Challenges of Providing a Drug Benefit for Medicare Beneficiaries: An Insurer's Perspective

1:00-2:30 p.m. The Changing Health Insurance Safety-Net
Moderated by Donna Zimmerman, vice president, Government and Community Relations, HealthPartners

Holly Rodin, senior field researcher, Service Employees International Union (Presentation)

Dale Yamamoto, principal, Hewitt Associates (Presentation)

Steve Parente, assistant professor and deputy director, Medical Industry Leadership Initiative, Carlson School of Management

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-4:00 p.m. The Future of Health Care Costs and Coverage Overall
Moderated by Keith Halleland, founding partner, Halleland, Lewis, Nilan & Johnson

Roger Feldman, Blue Cross Professor of Health Insurance, University of Minnesota (Presentation)

Marilyn Moon, vice president and director of Health Care, American Institutes for Research

Former Senator David Durenberger, chair, National Institute of Health Policy (Presentation)

4:00 p.m. Conclude