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Forum to address future of health care and coverage

SANTA ROSA – Several health care leaders will discuss the industry’s future, innovation and what that means for employers during the 2008 Business Journal Health Care Conference Nov. 12.

The event will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. David Greenberg, a professor and vice president of special research for the Buck Institute for Age Research, followed by two panel discussions that will address “new approaches that work” and “meeting employers needs.” The Business Journal will also present original research on the uninsured and the status of North Bay employee benefits.

Dr. Greenberg is an expert in stem-cell research, which is used at the institute to test treatments for ailments related to aging, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. He said the science has the potential to lead to great innovations in medical care, not just for treatment but also for testing for diseases and drug screening for people of all ages.

“If we come up with new treatments for chronic diseases and come close to curing them, we can stabilize those forces on the rest of the health care system,” he said.

On the “new approaches that work” panel, Kaiser Permanente Senior Research Scientist Barbara Sternfeld will discuss the results of an Internet-based employee wellness pilot project that that was able to significantly improve the health of many employees. “Because it’s Internet-based it’s very cost effective, but it is still really effective in promoting healthy eating and physical activity,” she said.

Sutter VNA & Hospice Senior Medical Director Brad Stewart will discuss new approaches to hospice care, and Clinic Ole Executive Director Beatrice Bostick will describe the benefits of a managed Medi-Cal system that will someday include Marin and Sonoma counties.

On the “meeting employers’ needs” panel, Vantreo Insurance Brokerage Account Executive Terry De Decker will discuss the increasing popularity of more creative employer insurance products, specifically health savings accounts and consumer driven products.

Other speakers include North Coast Association of Health Underwriters President Victor McKnight, a senior consultant with Sitzmann Morris & Lavis. He will review benefits pricing trends and programs that work for small employers, and Northern California Center for Well-Being Executive Director Alena Wall will discuss employer-based wellness initiatives.

The event will be hosted at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel in Santa Rosa, beginning with registration at 7:30 a.m. The program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and tickets are $45 per person, including breakfast. Tables of 10 are $470.

To register, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com or register online at www.busjrnl.com.

To participate in the Business Journal’s research project, visit www.busjrnl.com and click the turquoise button that says “Employee Benefits Survey.”