Session 2 - Prospects for Federal Health Legislation in President Bush’s Final Year and the Second Session of the 110th Congress

The Democrats and Republicans in Congress have been battling on several pieces of health legislation, most prominent being the SCHIP. President Bush has one more year to accomplish his objectives in health reform. Current and former staff members from the Hill will review the President’s final year from both Democratic and Republican perspectives.

Session 3 - Conference Keynote Address: “Health Politics and Policies in an Election Year”

In this exciting election year, political pundit and television commentator Norm Ornstein will return to the conference for the tenth year in a row to offer his insights on the Washington political landscape. He presented an inside-the-beltway perspective on how the debate in Washington will impact pending health legislation and the state of health care in this country.

Session 4 - Health Reform Issues Facing the Next President

The country’s next President will inherit the problems of rising health care costs, the increasing financial burden of health care on the middle class, a growing number of uninsured, and the financial pressures that retiring baby boomers will be placing on the Medicare Trust Fund. The composition of the new Congress and whether the President is of the same party as the Congress will have important implications whether and how these problems are resolved. These issues were discussed from the perspective of those from the Center, the Left, and the Right, as well as from the view of the media.

Session 5 - Outlook on Consumerism in Health Care

Trends in consumerism in health care continue to affect changes in the marketplace. Up-to-date research results on research conducted among providers and insurers, and employer perspectives will be presented in this session.

Session 6 - Strategic Outlook on the Health Care Market

Competitive challenges in the marketplace were discussed from HMO, medical group, hospital perspectives. The conference ended with an insightful critique from a renowned Wall Street analyst.