211698 Public health: An essential component of health reform

Monday, November 9, 2009: 2:30 PM

Susan Cooper, RN, MSN , Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN
Debate continues at the federal and state levels about the need to reform health care in regard to access, cost, and quality. The debate also includes provisions for prevention and wellness, as well as workforce development. This session will address the need to truly transform the health system with an orientation toward health rather than illness, the status of reform efforts, and the importance of prioritizing both clinical and community based prevention and health protection. Investments in the public health system at all levels, federal, state, and local, are direct investments in the health of our nation and are fundamental to achieving significant reform.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss three public health components of a transformed health system. 2. Describe two examples of public health, prevention strategies used in benefit design in Tennessee.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am Commissioner of Health for the State of Tennessee and senior health policy advisor, involved in health reform in the state and have chaired a panel to examine the needs of uninsured Tennesseans (2206). I have given multiple presentations on health reform nationally.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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