Senator Bob Dole Joins KC Discussion: The Face of Health Care Tomorrow - October 2009

October 07, 2009

Kansas City, MO.—Health care reform is before us, and it's time to face the facts. As decision makers discuss health care reform on Capitol Hill, questions abound about how it will affect our country—and our community.

On Wednesday, October 7, 2009, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) will present its third annual Health Summit at Liberty Memorial, "The Face of Health Care Tomorrow," from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Health care reform leaders, including Sen. Bob Dole and key political analysts, will provide an insider's view on what health care reform means for our country.

Specifically, Sen. Bob Dole will discuss health care reform from a bipartisan perspective based on "Crossing the Lines," a synopsis of a bipartisan agreement for comprehensive health reform reached by Senators Bob Dole, Howard Baker and Tom Daschle. Robert Laszewski, political analyst, will discuss the current political landscape of health care reform. The summit will also unveil startling cost reductions and health improvements as a result of Blue KC's health and wellness program.

On a local level, the summit will reveal results of a public opinion survey conducted in conjunction with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. It will provide different perspectives on the effects of health care reform on various industries in our community.

In summary, the results of the public opinion survey reveal the following:

The participants:

• Do not want any further government-run health care programs.
• Are concerned Washington, D.C., is "rushing to reform," not focusing enough on details.
• Do want health insurance mandates and guarantee issue with no pre-existing conditions.
• Do want subsidies for the poor at 100% of poverty level with a sliding scale by income.
• Are fearful of losing their health insurance.
• Do worry about a growing national debt, new taxes and expanding unemployment, if reform expands beyond curbing waste.
• Do want to see effective tort reform enacted.
• Do worry about physician shortage, thus compromising quality of care.

"It's no secret. Health care reform is before us, and it's time to decipher what it will mean for our country, for our community, and for us personally," said Tom Bowser, President and CEO of Blue KC. "Our health summit will take a deep dive into how decisions on health care reform will affect us."

Liberty Memorial Auditorium is located at100 W. 26th St. in Kansas City, Mo., south of the intersections of Pershing Road and Main Street in mid-town Kansas City.

About Blue KC

Blue KC, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in the state and the only not-for-profit health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City community since 1938. Blue KC provides health coverage to nearly 900,000 residents in the greater Kansas City area and Northwest Missouri. Blue KC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information on our company, visit our website at www.BlueKC.com. Our mission statement: We will use our role as the area's leading health insurer to provide affordable access to healthcare and to improve the health and wellness of our members.

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