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StudioTulsa on Health: A Conversation with Tom Adelson

Aired on Monday, March 4th.

Do you know how much was spent on health care in the U.S. in 2012? Would you believe $2.7 trillion? Today, more than ever, politicians, policy makers, pundits, and health care professionals are focused on the contradictory yet equally crucial aims of improving health care delivery and reducing the costs of that delivery. One individual focused in this way is Tom Adelson, the former State Senator for the 33rd District of Oklahoma, who now works in the private sector. Today, Dr. John Henning Schumann, our guest host, welcomes Adelson to the program. Prior his two full terms (beginning in 2004) in the Oklahoma state legislature representing Tulsa County, Adelson was appointed by then-Gov. Brad Henry to be the state's first-ever Secretary of Health. Moreover, and only recently, Adelson completed the work required for a master's in Health Care Delivery Science at Dartmouth --- it's a one-of-a-kind academic degree, and a rather nascent field of study, that he tell us about on this edition of StudioTulsa on Health. He also reflects on his ongoing efforts --- both as a politician and otherwise --- to advocate for better health care (as in, more accessible, less expensive, and of a higher quality) for all of the citizens of our state. Moreover, he addresses the positive and negative aspects of the Affordable Care Act --- and, more particularly, the possible benefits and shortcomings that this new law might bring to the State of Oklahoma, especially given Gov. Mary Fallin's decision to reject an expansion of Medicaid (as made available by this law).

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