Health care reform topic of next Rosenmeier Forum

"Basic Healthcare Reform" is the topic of the next Rosenmeier event planned for 7 p.m. Dec. 8 in the John Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

The program, sponsored by the Gordon Rosenmeier Center for State and Local Government, will feature guest speaker Dr. Charles Fazio, chief medical director at Medica.

Fazio's presentation will discuss why health care reform is needed and how the nation arrived at the current situation, who the major stakeholders in the process of reform are and how they impact potential reform, what makes sense from a legislative point of view and how citizens can stay informed as this process continues.

In his role as chief medical director for Medica, Fazio has been responsible for coordinating programs that promote health among Medica members, as well as innovation and quality in the delivery of health care.

He has served on the Minnesota governor's health reform task force in 2007, and on a committee convened by the Minnesota commissioner of health in 2009, which examined measures of value and health care.

Following Fazio's presentation, the forum format will allow for questions from those in attendance, according to Larry M. Kellerman, Rosenmeier Center executive director.