In this Section

Share this Page

Fill out this simple form to send an email to a friend who might enjoy this page.

America and Chicago's Health Safety Net: A Century of Continuity and Change

NEW! VIEW PHOTOS & LISTEN TO AUDIO FROM THE SYMPOSIUM
Enjoy a slideshow of images from this event.  

Enjoy audio files from this event.

Colleen M. Grogan, Associate Professor; Faculty Chair, Graduate Program in Health Administration and Policy; Research Associate, Center for Health Administration Studies
Harold Pollack, Associate Professor; Faculty Chair, Center for Health Administration Studies; Co-Director, University of Chicago Crime Lab

Date: April 17, 2009

Location: School of Social Service Administration
969 East 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637

As the fields of modern health services research, health policy and health administration emerged at the University of Chicago, the faculty recognized the close link between vulnerability and health, and the importance of community-level safety net organizations to improve well-being. Today, with the rise in chronic health conditions, continued economic and racial segregation, and one million uninsured living in Chicago alone, that link has never been more apparent. How can today's medical and social safety net organizations attack the multitude of health-related problems among America’s poor and low-income?

This symposium will reflect on the role of various health care reform approaches—what they are and ought to be—for vulnerable populations. Presenters will trace the major historical trends in the development of the U.S. health care delivery system—particularly the development of our private/public mixed system, and offer a new critique on how this broader framing influenced the separate development of the health care safety net. As the Obama administration begins efforts to reform the U.S. health care system, our keynote speaker will provide a thought-provoking and entertaining talk on previous U.S. Presidents’ attempts to pass national health care reform and lessons to be learned.

Health care reform in light of equity in access to care, quality improvements, and cost control will be considered. Presenters will reflect on enduring concepts that still apply to thinking about health care reform today and other areas where we have witnessed significant change. Finally, Chicago’s health care safety net and the role of health care providers in improving health for vulnerable populations will be explored.

View the full agenda for this symposium.

View speakers' biographies.

Please register online for this event. The registration cost is $55 which includes lunch and a reception.

Colleen M. Grogan

Colleen M. Grogan

Harold Pollack

Harold Pollack