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PHYSICIANS SPOUSES DEDICATED TO THE HEALTH OF UTAH
SPRING 2007
THE ALLIANCE GOES TO WASHINGTON
IN THIS ISSUE:
Spotlight on Margaret Dayton, UMA
Alliance Member and State Senator
What a wonderful experience!
Six Alliance members, Cheryl Wilson, Iron County, Jessi Allen, Medical Student Spouse Association Alliance, Denise Durrans and Sibyl Noble, Utah County, and Kathleen Alder and Debby Campbell, Weber County, attended the American Medical Association National Advocacy Conference and Alliance Leadership training on February 12th through 14th in Washington, DC. It was three days filled with TV news personalities, senators, congressmen, advocacy and leadership training, wonderful food, monuments, and strolls around the perimeter of the White House Grounds.
They heard from former governor of Colorado, Richard Lamm, on the looming acute Medicare healthcare crisis that will hit this country once the baby boomers enter retirement. Multiple congressmen from various states reiterated that same message time and time again at the conference.
Chris Matthews, popular TV News commentator from MSNBC, gave an entertaining and enlightening commentary on the
upcoming 2008 presidential election. George Stephanopoulos, ABC News Chief and former Communications Director to President Bill Clinton, spoke on the uninsured and hosted a dinner where various awards were given to leaders who are advocates for medicine, and a thought provoking presentation was given by acclaimed photographer with the National Geographic, Steve Uzzell.
On Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, the six Alliance attendees teamed up with the Utah Medical Association delegation and visited Senator Hatch and Representatives Cannon, Mathe-son and Bishop in person to discuss personally the Medicare and uninsured crisis, and possible legislation to do away with the current Medicare physician payment formula based on the SGR (sustainable growth rate).
All attendees came back with new knowledge on how severe the healthcare crisis in this country can become and with a deep respect, love and appreciation for this wonderful country and its government.
