Chair: Philip L. Schneider, MD
Recent polling indicates that health care remains one of the top issues voters will consider when casting their ballots in the upcoming 2020 Presidential elections. The results of these elections could have a lasting impact on the future of the U.S. health care system and whether Democrats and Republicans are able to reach consensus on legislation intended to stabilize the health insurance markets, provide further access to care and improve quality while lowering costs. This symposium will take an in-depth look at current Medicare for All proposals and examine their relevance to spine care providers’ ability to deliver high quality care to patients.
Upon completion of this session, participants should gain strategies to:
- An in-depth understanding of how the current political environment is shaping the policies that will affect spine care providers and their patients;
- Familiarity of the legislative proposals that are being considered by Congress as they identify ways to address the major challenges to the U.S. health care system;
- Gain an in-depth understanding of NASS’ current federal legislative priorities and emerging trends in healthcare policy in Washington, DC.
Agenda
Medicare for All Debate – Impact on Spine Specialists and Patients
Philip L. Schneider, MD, John G. Finkenberg, MD, and David A. Wong, MD
Witness to History: Leadership Lessons from a Presidential Advisor
Guest Speaker: David Axelrod
Senior Political Commentator, CNN, and Host, of the Axe Files; Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics; Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama (2009-2011)
A respected journalist, political strategist, and award-winning ad maker, David Axelrod is perhaps best known as the architect of President Barack Obama’s improbable four-year march from the Illinois State Senate to the White House. As senior advisor to the President, Mr. Axelrod was a key figure in shaping and selling the administration’s agenda and legislative priorities, including passage of the Affordable Care Act. From his unique vantage point, Mr. Axelrod will share the leadership lessons he learned working in the West Wing and analyze the major issues of the day.