premired july 2005
HEALTHCARE: HEALING THE SYSTEM, a new, exclusive three-part "town hall meeting"-style series that explores important issues in the New York State healthcare system. Long Island Association President Matthew Crosson will host a panel of healthcare and community leaders, politicians, patient advocates, interest groups, and a studio audience. The series airs in half-hour segments over three consecutive nights: "The Uninsured" (7/11); "Hospitals" (7/12); and "Healthcare Policy" (7/13). "The 'HEALTHCARE' broadcast and other town hall meetings WLIW21 produces throughout the year demonstrate the value of public television as a community resource," explained WLIW21 President and General Manager Terrel Cass. "We hope that this program will help our viewers understand and access health care they need and deserve." The series will repeat in its entirety
THE UNINSURED
The program sets up the issues our community faces surrounding people without health insurance,
then delves into topics like the rising cost of healthcare, access to quality care, publicly funded
programs, employer costs, decreasing employee benefits, and the plight of the uninsured.
Panelists: Dr. Mary Curtis, Deputy Nassau County Executive, Health & Human Services,
Michael Dowling, President & CEO, North Shore-LIJ Health System,
Jack O'Connell, President & CEO, Health & Welfare Council of LI,
Dr. Frank Olsen, Senior Vice President, HIP New York, and
Rev. Reginald Tuggle, Director, Community Relations, Nassau Comm. College.
HOSPITALS
The program sets up the issues and problems surrounding hospital management and care, then delves
into topics like hospital closures, staff shortages, government reimbursements, and the impact of
technology.
Panelists: Ilene Corina, New York President, PULSE Patient Advocacy Group,
Dr. Mary Curtis, Deputy Nassau County Executive, Health & Human Services,
Michael Dowling, President & CEO, North Shore-LIJ Health System,
Daniel Kane, President & CEO, Nassau Healthcare Corporation, and
Dr. Frank Olsen, Senior Vice President, HIP New York.
HEALTHCARE POLICY
The program sets up the issues and problems surrounding healthcare policy, then delves into topics
like easing the Medicaid Cap burden (3% by 2008), New York State's budget and policies, tax increases,
fraud within the system, and possible solutions to these problems through programs.
Panelists: Michael Dowling, President & CEO, North Shore-LIJ Health System,
Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive,
Robert McMillan, Board of Trustees, American Medical Association,
Dr. Greta Rainsford, Physician and Board Member, Nassau Healthcare Corp, and
Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County Executive.
The program will also include pre-taped interviews with:
Ron Abrahall, President, Brookhaven Memorial Federation of Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (Hospitals)
Laura Cassell, CEO, Catholic Charities (The Uninsured)
Barbara Crane, St. Catherine's Hospital of Siena (Hospitals)
Kevin Dahill, President & CEO, Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (All shows)
Richard Dina, President, Family & Children's Association (The Uninsured)
Senator Kemp Hannon, Chair, Senate Health Committee (Hospitals and Healthcare Policy)
Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, Ranking Member, Assembly Health Committee (All shows)
Gwen O'Shea, Senior Vice President of Policy and Development, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (The Uninsured)
Dr. David Weiss, Professor of Health Policy, Hofstra University (The Uninsured and Healthcare Policy)