The Commonwealth Fund's Karen Davis to Keynote MBGH's 30th Annual Health Benefits Conference

Dynamic lineup of experts and stakeholders confirmed to discuss with Chicago employers the latest impact on health care, payment and delivery reform

CHICAGO, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) will celebrate its 30th anniversary at its Annual Conference being held in Chicago, May 6-7, 2010 by assembling a variety of notable experts to explore the latest in health benefits and health care trends as well as the key challenges faced by purchasers. Keynote speakers will include Karen Davis, president of The Commonwealth Fund, Steve Wetzel, executive vice president of the HR Policy Association, and Michael Leavitt, former Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"Health care purchasers face a great deal of uncertainty as they work to understand the impact of the recent health care reform laws," said Larry Boress, president and CEO of MBGH. "We are honored to be able to bring together an impressive group of nationally recognized resources and to celebrate our 30th anniversary."

Leading-edge employers, including Caterpillar, Whirlpool, and Procter & Gamble, will share their strategies and perspectives during the two-day program.

Other national and local thought-leaders on health care participating in the conference include:

• Dean Harrison, president and CEO, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
• Edward F.X. Hughes, MD, professor of Health Industry Management and Management and Strategy, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
• Ben Leedle, president and CEO, Healthways
• Tracey Moorhead, president and CEO, DMAA
• John Rother, executive vice president of Policy and Strategy, AARP
• Michael Samuelson, president & CEO, Health & Wellness Institute
• Scott Sarran, MD, chief medical officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
• Cecil Wilson, president-elect, American Medical Association

Bill Germanakos, Season 4 winner of the Biggest Loser, will be in attendance to share his experiences and fitness recommendations.

MBGH offers a local and affordable employer-focused health benefits conference featuring leading employers and industry experts providing objective, timely and practical information on the latest research, trends and best practices critical to health care reform and business success. Purchasers will gain insight into the latest health benefit trends, the impact of reform on the delivery of care, and reform's impact on wellness programs and incentives. Additionally, MBGH will be presenting its latest research findings on the employee and physician views on employer-sponsored health management activities.

Additional details and registration information can be found at the following: http://mbgh.org/index.php?t=event&&events__id=81.

About the Midwest Business Group on Health

Celebrating 30 years of advancing value in health benefits management, the non-profit Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) is one of the nation's leading business groups of private and public employers. MBGH's more than 100 members represent over 2.5 million lives, spending more than $3 billion on health care benefits on an annual basis. MBGH offers employers a variety of health benefit educational seminars, networking opportunities, and quality and community initiatives. MBGH is a founding member of the National Business Coalition on Health. www.mbgh.org

Note to editors: Passes are available for accredited media upon request.

SOURCE Midwest Business Group on Health