Panelists gathered at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital examined a wide spectrum of healthcare issues including ways to improve access to healthcare, lower costs, manage physician shortages, and ensure both quality and equity of medical care. But among the numerous issues, economics was a common thread, and one highlighted by University Hospitals Pediatric Surgeon Edward Barksdale Jr.
BARKSDALE: I think that the biggest driver for the health disparities that exist in this country is poverty. So if you ask my pie in the sky answer it would be to give everyone a job.
His response prompted applause from the audience - and agreement from John Corlett who directs the Medicaid Program at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
CORLETT: I see solving healthcare as part of solving the economic crisis -I think they go together.
Even in tight economic times said Corlett, it's important to invest in what matters - and that includes promoting healthy lifestyles through preventative healthcare and education for children and families, and ensuring the continuation of programs like the State Children's Health Insurance Program or S-CHIP which comes up for renewal in March of 2009.
Gretchen Cuda, 90.3