ALUMNI DAY 2008
Peter Drucker once said, "Prepare for the future that has already occurred." On Tuesday, May 6, alumni, students, and friends of the Graduate Programs in Health Services Administration came together at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club in Seattle to discuss Washington State's history with health care reform, current national reform proposals, and related issues.
The afternoon began with Leo Greenawalt, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington State Hospital Association. Mr. Greenawalt shared his personal experiences with the Washington State health care reform efforts of the early 1990s, and in his wisdom reflected upon considerations for forthcoming efforts.
After Mr. Greenawalt's insights, we had the privilege of hearing from keynote speaker Len Nichols, Director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation. Dr. Nichols shared his knowledge and experience with current health care reform efforts at the national level, and provided insight into the health plans of the current presidential candidates.
After a great discussion between attendees and both speakers, Alumni Day concluded with a reception, which provided a venue for catching up with old friends and making new connections.
Leo Greenawalt: PowerPoint presentation
Len Nichols: PowerPoint presentation
Keynote Speaker: Len Nichols
Len Nichols, a highly respected health care economist, is Director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation. Based in Washington, DC, the New America Foundation strives to bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of our nation's public discourse. Relying on a venture capital approach, the Foundation invests in outstanding individuals and policy ideas that transcend the conventional political spectrum. The Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation aims to expand health insurance coverage to all Americans while reining in costs and improving the efficiency of the overall health care system.
Before joining New America, Dr. Nichols was Vice President of the Center for Studying Health System Change, Principal Research Associate at the Urban Institute, and Senior Advisor for Health Policy at the Office of Management and Budget during the Clinton reform efforts of 1993-94. He has testified frequently before Congress and state legislators and has published widely in a variety of health related journals.
Previously, Dr. Nichols was Chair of the Economics Department at Wellesley College, where he taught for 10 years. He also served as a member of the Competitive Pricing Advisory Commission (CPAC) and the 2001 Technical Review Panel for the Medicare Trustees Reports. He was on the advisory panel to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Covering America project and has been a consultant to the World Bank, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and the Pan American Health Organization. Dr. Nichols received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois.
Speaker: Leo Greenawalt
Leo Greenawalt is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA). He formulates and advocates Association positions on major hospital and related public issues; represents WSHA to businesses, legislative groups, and other associations; leads in health care and association policy making; and manages WSHA and its affiliated organizations with the executive vice president.
The Washington State Hospital Association takes a major leadership role in issues that affect delivery, quality, accessibility, affordability, and continuity of health care. It accepts and shares responsibility for improving the health status of the citizens of Washington State, and works with others in identifying and responding to critical health care issues.
The Washington State Hospital Association, as the primary representative of hospitals and related organizations, plays an intermediary role between these organizations and the legislative and regulatory bodies.