On the Brink of Change: September 2008

September 24, 2008

Kansas City, MO.—Big changes are ahead for the healthcare industry that will make a significant impact on consumers and their employers.

On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) presented its second Health Summit at Liberty Memorial from 8 a.m. to noon. Healthcare, business and political analysts provided an insider's view on what it means for area organizations to be on the brink of change.

The Health Summit covered three main areas of change in healthcare:

• With the upcoming Presidential election, transformation is on the horizon.
• Now is the time to discuss how to keep employees healthy and productive.
• And, more than ever, keeping healthy and fit should always be our collective goal in life.

Robert Laszewski, political analyst delivered the keynote address with a presentation on the proposed healthcare plans of each of the Presidential candidates and how their plans will affect the industry post election.

• Steve Aldana, Ph.D. drew a clear picture demonstrating the impact of health and wellness on productivity in the workplace. Aldana is the author of numerous health and wellness books.
• Jarrett Barrios, Massachusetts Blue Plan, Foundation President discussed the status of universal healthcare in Massachusetts and share lessons learned the hard way

"As today's healthcare environment transforms, it is crucial that businesses support the right changes and understand the consequences. The goal of this discussion is to not only highlight the importance of health and wellness but to also raise awareness of the cost impact of productivity in the workplace and how upcoming political changes may affect you, both personally and professionally," said Tom Bowser, Blue KC President and Chief Executive Officer.

Following Laszewski's, Barrios' and Aldana's presentations, a panel discussion comprised of Kansas City executives discussed the importance and impact of implementing a health and wellness program into an organization, followed by a Question and Answer session.

Members of the panel include Jack Bastable, CBIZ; Dr. John Esslinger, Lockton Companies; Alisa Ford, University of Kansas Hospital; and John Murphy, Shook Hardy and Bacon.

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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