Leading Economist to Tackle the Future of Employer-Based Health Care

Feb. 7 Health Care Forum to Feature Stuart H. Altman

Stuart H. Altman, a nationally recognized expert on health policy, will join local health care professionals and business leaders at a dinner and lecture to examine the viability of the current employer-based health care system.

The Health Care Forum, scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks, is open for limited registration. For more information and to make reservations, please call 780-5960. Sponsors of the event include Martin's Point Health Care, the University of Southern Maine's Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Medical Association, Maine Health Management Coalition, Maine Development Foundation, the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce and MaineHealth.

Altman, the Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy at Brandeis University and Chair of the Robert Wood Johnson Council on the Economic Impact of Health System Change, will explore recent trends in the employer-based health insurance system and highlight the implications for small and large employers. His presentation will address the responses of both private and public sector employers to cost pressures from growing health insurance premiums.

The Health Care Forum will consider the future role of employers in the health care system and clarify the challenges for Maine policy makers and business leaders in three important areas: access to quality health care, health improvement and cost containment.

"Rising health insurance costs for employers deeply affect the future well-being of Maine's citizens and businesses," said Dr. David Howes, president and chief medical officer of Martin's Point Health Care in Portland. "Stuart Altman will focus our attention on critical health and financial concerns for our communities and economy."

Altman's health policy research and insights draw international recognition. He has served the White House and Congress in several official advisory roles, including membership on the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare and chairmanship of the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission.


About Martin's Point: Established in 1981, Martin's Point is a non-profit health care provider with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The largest primary care practice in Maine, Martin's Point has a staff of more than 300 health care professionals and serves 48,000 patients under all major health plans, including retired military and dependants of active military personnel. Martin's Point serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, mammography and other fields. In addition, Martin's Point is known for its innovative approach to health care. Unique to Martin's Point is its online communication program called Patients Personal Points which allows patients to communicate via a secure server with their doctors to schedule appointments, ask advice and obtain prescription refills. The program won a national technology award from the Healthcare Innovations in Technology Systems (HITS) Partnership in Technology national awards program. For additional information on this program or Martin's Point, visit online at www.martinspoint.org.


About the Muskie School: Established in 1972, the University of Southern Maine's Muskie School educates future leaders, improves public service, and conducts leading research in: health policy, child & family policy, community & economic development, and public sector innovation. The School includes four graduate academic programs and three nationally recognized research institutes. The School is based in Portland and Augusta, Maine. Learn more about the Muskie School at: www.muskie.usm.maine.edu.

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Note to Editors:
á A copy of this news release and other Martin's Point releases are available at www.wolfenews.com.
á A black and white digital photo of Mr. Altman is also available by e-mail. Please call Dana Slone at Wolfe Public Relations, (207) 775-5115, to request.
á The Feb. 7 event is open to the members of the media, who may call Bob Caswell, USM Media Relations, at 780-4200. Thanks!