Nancy Johnson to speak on health care, March 25

Former U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT), a 24-year veteran of Congress and recognized authority on health policy, will deliver a lecture at UConn titled “The Birthing of a New Healthcare System” on Tuesday, March 25.

The event will take place in Konover Auditorium at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, beginning at 4 p.m..

Johnson will discuss problems of rising healthcare costs in both the private and public sector and loss of coverage; the future of healthcare in the United States; and factors she believes will create an efficient and successful healthcare system, such as improving quality measures, stressing the importance of patients’ involvement in their care, and the adoption of an interoperable health information system.

Johnson represented the 5th district of Connecticut from 1983 to 2007, following six years of service in the State Senate.

Her legislative accomplishments include a variety of matters related to health care, children, taxes, manufacturing, and the environment.

She co-authored the national Children’s Health Insurance Program; was a principal author of the Medicare Modernization Act; and authored several taxpayer rights bills as chair of the Oversight Subcommittee.

As a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and a free-trade proponent, Johnson played an integral role in passage of every major tax bill, trade agreement, and health care initiative during her tenure on the committee.

She currently works as a senior public policy advisor at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz, P.C. in Washington, D.C.

Johnson’s talk is co-sponsored by the Dodd Center, the School of Nursing, and the Student Leadership Legacy Program.