Demystifying Medicare: 2012 Summer Academy for Interns (Seminar II)

The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) and over 100 interns, students and young professionals gathered to discuss and debate the future of Medicare at this free, day-long event featuring prominent guest speakers, expert panels, interactive activities. Participants came away with a better understanding of the program and the challenges facing the White House and Congress as they work to improve Medicare. 

Event Hashtag: #Medicare12

8:30am Registration/Light Breakfast

9:00am Welcome and Opening Session
Why is Medicare Important? Why is Medicare important to younger generations?

• Sabiha Zainulbhai, National Academy of Social Insurance
• Maya Rockeymoore, Global Policy Solutions

9:25am Session I -- Medicare: How Does it Work?
Medicare is a multifaceted program with a complex benefit package, but who pays for Medicare and who receives benefits? What are the characteristics of the typical Medicare enrollee? How is the program structured?

 

• Sarah Lock, AARP
• Gretchen Jacobson, Kaiser Family Foundation
• Reginald Williams, II, Avalere Health, LLC
• Timothy Trysla, Alston & Bird
• Diane Lifsey, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

10:45am Break/Networking

11:00am Session II -- Medicare: How Big is the Financing Problem?
 The Medicare program has been running a deficit since 2008, but how much trouble is the program in? Why are program revenues and expenditures out of are balance? How big is the shortfall and what are some solutions for closing the long-term funding gap?

• Richard Foster, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Jack Ebeler, Health Policy Alternatives

12:00pm Lunch

12:30pm Policy Exercise -- The Intern Solution for Medicare (Part I)
Experts have debated policy solutions for Medicare’s financing for years. What solutions would you choose to address the issues of Medicare solvency?

• Sabiha Zainulbhai, National Academy of Social Insurance

1:20pm Policy Exercise -- The Intern Solution for Medicare (Part II)
Hold your own policy briefing. Report back on your ideas for the future of Medicare.

2:00pm Break/Networking

2:15pm Session III -- Unfiltered: Straight Talk on Medicare
There are very different ways one can look at Medicare. This session will explore two of those perspectives on the current state of Medicare and the future of the program.

• Kathryn Nix, Heritage Foundation
• Rob Wohl, SumofUs.org

3:15pm Session IV – Closing Session 
Now that you grasp the ins and outs of the Medicare program, hear from a young professional about how you can use this information and get involved in the policy process.

• Hilary Doe, Roosevelt Institute

3:45pm Wrap-Up and Door Prizes

Financial support for this event has been provided by AARP and Aronson, LLC.