Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2009-01-28

Duration: 00:56:54

Subjects: Health care reform | Filmed panel discussions | MEDICAID | Health maintenance organizations | Louisiana Charity Hospital System | Health Care

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Freeman, Craig Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Erwin, Barry Interviewee
• Levine, Alan Interviewee
• Spedale, Steve Interviewee
• Hood, David Interviewee
• Smith, Roger Interviewee
• Preston, Catherine Speaker
• Miller, Janice Speaker
• Schwartzman, Leah Speaker
• Wascom, Kathy Speaker
• Jeansonne, Jim Speaker
• Johnson, Sandra Speaker
• Munn, Brandon Speaker
• Pierre, James Speaker
• Wilson, Jeanette Speaker
• Davis, Frank Speaker
• Clayton, Dolores Speaker
• Mount, Willie Panelist
• Cerise, Fredrick Panelist
• Levine, Alan Panelist
• Hood, David Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from January 28, 2009, features Craig Freeman leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists about healthcare reform, both nationally and statewide. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Barry Erwin, president of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL); Secretary Alan Levine of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; Dr. Steve Spedale, spokesman for the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; David Hood, senior health care policy analyst with the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR); and Dr. Roger Smith, spokesman for the Louisiana State Medical Society. The audience members then discuss their views on universal healthcare, which healthcare infrastructure will provide the best care, and reform in the state’s charity hospital system. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: State Senator Willie Mount; Dr. Fred Cerise, Vice President of Health Affairs for Medical Education in the LSU System; Secretary Alan Levine of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; and David Hood, senior health care policy analyst with PAR. They discuss: the limitations and benefits of Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposed health care reform plan, why Louisiana is ranked so low in health care statistics, the proposed expansion of Medicare under President Barack Obama, and how to decrease the number of unnecessary emergency room visits. This program was preserved through a 2022-2023 Public Broadcasting Preservation Fellowship. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Craig Freeman