UF students to discuss politics and health policy in Pugh Hall

December 9, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Undergraduate students from the University of Florida will present research on health policy at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Pugh Hall Ocora in a discussion hosted by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

The Politics of Health Policy’s three discussion panels will cover international health care issues at 2 p.m., federal and state health programs at 3 p.m., and public health and medical practice in the U.S. at 4 p.m.

Michael T. Heaney, an assistant professor of political science who is an expert in how lobbyists influence health policy, will chair the panel on international health. Students Melissa Wolfe and Krysten Rosen will chair the other topics.

Students will discuss issues such as finding affordable drugs for developing countries, calculating the cost of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and understanding debates about vaccination and autism.

“The wide range of topics at this conference testifies to the multitude of areas where health policy requires urgent attention,” Heaney said. “The innovativeness of student approaches to these topics gives me hope that the next generation of leaders will be prepared to tackle many of these challenges.”

The meeting will end with a reception and awards presentation.