I attended a terrific local forum today, "American & German Health Care: Health Technology Assessment and Health Care For All." It was hosted by the University of Minnesota's Center for German & European Studies.
It was an opportunity to meet and hear directly from leaders in the German health system - which many hail as far more efficient than that in the US, and at much lower spending levels. The US devotes 16% of its GDP to health care spending; Germany spends 10%. Their system is universal, comprehensive, and includes a mix of public and private efforts.
We also heard from representatives of the Massachussetts health reform plan, from major insurers, from drug companies and from health care providers.
How many local journalists attended to learn, to conduct interviews with leading health policy makers, and to file stories? I saw none.
Maybe they'll show up for day two.
The hosting Center is actually paying Twin Cities Public Television to put a video together for air.
Posted by schwitz at May 19, 2008 03:09 PM | TrackBack