The Affordable Care Act (ACA), often referred to as “Obamacare,” offered promise for increased coverage, reduced costs, and better health for communities, and has had a significant impact on the healthcare landscape in our country. Promising, polarizing, and profoundly complex, every level of government has grappled with its implementation. In communities across the country, every individual has been affected in one way or another.
Our panel of distinguished presenters will take a look at how the ACA is being implemented nationally, at the state level, and locally.
- Aaron Katz, Principal Lecturer of Health Services and Global Health at the University of Washington, will share data and perspectives about the big picture, including a national view.
- Mike Kreidler, Washington State Insurance Commissioner, will address how the ACA is working in Washington State.
- Sue Sharpe, Executive Director of the Chuckanut Health Foundation and longtime Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement member, will discuss local efforts to transform healthcare in Whatcom County.
Come and learn about progress made, some of the barriers and questions that remain, and prognosis for achieving the goals of improved care, cost, and community health.