Business Meeting

Currently, the United States (U.S.) remains the only nation to NOT offer health care to all of its residents. The other industrialized countries spend less money and provide better health care coverage than the U.S. In 2006, approximately 47 million (15.8%) Americans were uninsured with 8.7 million (11%) being children; however, this number is likely to increase due to the recent slowing of the U.S. economy. The integration of health information technology (IT) has become an integral part of health care reform and is necessary for change to occur. Health IT can assist in improving the performance of the health care system as well as help develop databases and registries to aid in surveillance and interventions. It is time for a change. President Obama has made health care reform an important agenda for his presidency. The 2009 National Student Meeting would like for students to come together to discuss Health Care Reform and possible solutions to the existing problems in health care with a focus on Health IT. The meeting will include a panel discussion, town hall meeting, professional development session featuring speed mentoring, and exhibitor sessions. Registration forms will be available on the APHA-Student Assembly website at http://www.apha.org/membergroups/students/ on August 3, 2009. Please email completed registration forms to studentmeeting@aphastudents.org.