SJC Faculty Expert Moderates Panel on Affordable Health Care Act

August 04, 2013

BROOKLYN, NY August 5, 2013 St. Josephs College (SJC) faculty member, John Sardelis, Dr. P.H., professor of health care administration, moderated a panel discussion for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Health Care Summit at Brooklyn College on July 31. The panel, entitled "Planning for the Future Watching the Bottom Line, centered on the Affordable Care Act and how it will change the health care landscape in New York State starting in 2014.

At the start of the discussion, Dr. Sardelis addressed the complexity of the Affordable Care Act and clearly laid out the challenges that the bill faced in fulfilling its goal of providing affordable health coverage to all. The root of the problem, however, he distilled down to one simple issuecost.

"Small employers are dropping coverage because it costs too much, said Dr. Sardelis. "Large employers are shifting employees to high-deductible plans because it costs too much. Its a complex problem; hence the law that fixes it is going to be complex.

Throughout the hour-long talk, Dr. Sardelis weaved the most pressing issues of the law (mandates, insurance exchanges for individuals and small business, plan design, penalties and tax benefits) into a compelling dialogue with three prominent figures in the health care industry. At the conclusion of this discussion, the almost 100 participants in attendance had a clearer idea of how the law worked and how it would impact their individual situations.

"With the landscape of health care in this country changing over the next few months, it was important for us to bring everyone together to discuss how the business community and individuals can better prepare, said Carlo Scissura, president and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. "Our panel of experts, including Dr. John Sardelis of St. Josephs College, who moderated the "Planning for the Future breakout session, were able to shed light on this important topic and helped educate those who attended the conference.