Public forum on 'Ethics and Healthcare Reform' to be hosted

Rainbow Hospice and Palliative CareNov 4 2009

To focus a much-needed, objective light on the ethical concerns regarding the national debate on healthcare reform, the LIFE Institute of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care will be hosting a public forum on "Ethics and Healthcare Reform" on Tuesday, November 17th at 7 p.m. at Edison Park Lutheran Church, 6626 N. Oliphant Ave., Chicago. AP-award-winner and Emmy-nominated Margaret Shortridge, FOX Chicago's former medical reporter of 10 years, will moderate the panel of four healthcare experts. The panel includes a nationally recognized palliative care physician, hospice nurse, reverend and medical ethicist, and end-of-life care physician.

"While the economic and political impact of the proposed healthcare reforms are on everyone's minds, the related ethical concerns and impacts need to be responsibly discussed and better understood," explained Patricia Ahern, president and CEO of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care.

The forum will provide all Chicago-area residents an opportunity to listen and respond to a lively discussion about today's healthcare challenges. Attendees are invited to engage the panel members / experts from medical and end-of-life care fields on the ethical and moral impacts of proposed federal legislation.

Panel members currently scheduled to attend include:

• Dr. Michael Preodor, a nationally recognized palliative care physician, professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and Dean of the Rainbow Hospice LIFE Institute.
• Angie Konstantaras, a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse with more than 10 years of hospice experience, and a nine-year veteran of the ethics committee at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care.
• The Rev. Dr. Clint Moore III, a clinical ethicist and director of the Center for Clinical Ethics at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital.
• Dr. Barbe Creagh, a 25-year, end-of-life care veteran and chair of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care's Ethics Committee.

The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required, and seating will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis.