More than 100 participants attended the 2007 Arizona Rural and Public Health Policy Forum: "Examining the Effects of New and Existing Legislation in the 2007 Legislative Session," at the Arizona State Capitol on Tuesday.

Law and policy makers networked with leaders in the health and social service fields and had an opportunity to explore the potential effects of pending bills and initiatives. Attendees examined key issues relevant to Arizona’s tribal and rural communities, gained perspectives on health care reform for Arizona, and identified strategies to strengthen rural and public health systems. Participants also had the opportunity to become acquainted with state legislators and policy makers and communicate their policy priorities.

The morning started with a welcome address by Lynda Bergsma, Interim Director for the Rural Health Office, Jack Beveridge, President of the Arizona Rural Health Association, and Susan Higgins, Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association. The welcome was followed with a presentation of perspectives from state government leaders that included January Contreras, Advisor on Health Policy in Governor Janet Napolitano's Office, Pete Wertheim, Legislative Liasion for the Arizona Department of Health Services, Anthony Rodgers, Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Jim Buster, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Arizona Deparment of Environmental Quality, and Chris Cummiskey, Director of the Government Information Technology Agency.

This session was followed by a session that addressed pressing concerns for Arizona tribal communities, moderated by Michael Allison, Native American Liaison, Arizona Department of Health Services. Presenters included Fred Hubbard, Executive Director, State Advisory Council on Indian Health Care, District 2 Representative Albert Tom, and Alida Montiel, Health Analyst for the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona.

Twelve representatives from several agencies discussed strengthening rural and public health systems in a session moderated by Donna Michaels, board member of the Arizona Rural Health Association: Don Proulx, Associate Director, Arizona AHEC Program, Tara McCollum Plese, Director of Government and Media Relations, AZ Association of Community Health Centers, Leonard Kirschner, MD, President, AARP Arizona State Office, David Miller, CEO, Arizona Council of Human Service Providers, Ginger Foncek, Special Projects, Arizona Dental Association, Laurie Lange, Vice President, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, Jeffrey Morgan, DO, President, Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association, Kimberly Van Pelt, Director of Health Policy, Children's Action Alliance, Timothy Schmaltz, CEO, PAFCO, Tom McWilliams, DO, Associate Dean of BioClinical Sciences at AT Still University, Jane Pearson, Associate Director for Programs, St. Luke's Health Initiative, and Michael Grossman, MD, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, UA College of Medicine in Phoenix.

During lunch, attendees had the opportunity to network with more than 20 state representatives and senators.

Lunch was followed with a session on health care reform, moderated by Joel Meister, PhD, Professor of Public Health and Director of the Concentration in Public Health Policy & Management at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health. Presenters included Master of Public Health students Anne Hill, Rowan Frost and Renee Goldtooth, and Representative Phil Lopes. The day wrapped up with a presentation on how to work with elected officials by Schmaltz and a strategic session on next steps by Bergsma.

The conference was sponsored by the Rural Health Office at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health, the Arizona Rural Health Association, Inc., and the Arizona Public Health Association.

A final summary of the forum will be developed. For more information or a copy of the summary, contact Rebecca Ruiz at (520) 626-2243 or raruiz@email.arizona.edu.