February 28, 1997

National Conference to spotlight emerging trends in healthcare

National Conference to spotlight emerging trends in healthcare

Health care and legal professionals from across the country will gather to discuss trends in health care at a national conference to be held at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on March 7.

"The Changing Health Care Environment: Issues for the Future," is sponsored by the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's division of Continuing Medical Education and the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, in cooperation with the Nashville Health Care Council.

Serving as co-chairs are Dr. Ellen Wright Clayton, associate professor of Pediatrics and Law, and H. Lee Barfield II, an attorney with the Nashville law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims.

Conference participants include Dr. Harry R. Jacobson, deputy vice chancellor for Health Affairs; Dr. John S. Sergent, chief medical officer of Vanderbilt Medical Group; Dr. John E. Maupin, president of Meharry Medical College; and U.S. Sen. Bill Frist.

Conference objectives are to examine the ethical and policy issues arising in today's health care environment, to evaluate the special health care problems posed by the needs of low-income populations and to assess the legal and regulatory requirements affecting health care delivery and system consolidation.

The conference's opening session is titled "Where are we now and where should we be?" and will be chaired by Sen. Frist. Other sessions are set to focus on the future of academic medical centers, the challenges of changing health care providers and a look at TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid alternative.

The American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics is an interdisciplinary educational association whose mission is to provide high-quality debate, scholarship and critical thought for professionals in law, health care, policy and ethics.

A discounted conference registration fee of $100 is available for Vanderbilt faculty and staff. To register, call (617) 262-4990, or e-mail ASLME@BU.EDU by March 5. Limited on-site registration will be available.