Intelligence Squared U.S. Streams "Retail Alliances - Not Washington - Will Save the U.S. Health Care System" Debate Live from Mayo Transform Conference, September 26

Last year, Intelligence Squared U.S. and the Mayo Clinic held a debate about whether health care in the United States is terminally broken. On Wednesday, September 26, they will pick up where that discussion left off with a live debate on the motion "Retail Alliances - Not Washington - Will Save the U.S. Health Care System." 

From the Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase venture to the CVS-Aetna deal, a number of corporate behemoths have recently announced mergers that, they say, are sure to shake up health care. But while these superpower alliances are making a splash in the headlines, will they actually be able to disrupt, and save, U.S. health care? Will consumer focused models and employer-led initiatives lead to better and less expensive outcomes?

Debating in support of the motion are Collective Health co-founder Dr. Rajaie Batniji and Ernst & Young LLP (EY) partner and Global Health Transactions Advisory Services Leader Gregg Slager. Debating against the motion are Gist Healthcare co-founder Dr. Lisa Bielamowicz and Day Health Strategies founder Rosemarie Day.

The debate will be stream live online from the Mayo Clinic's Transform Conference in Rochester, Minn., then air soon after as part of the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." On September 26, online viewers can tune in at IQ2US's website: https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/retail-alliances---not-washington---will-save-us-health-care-system

WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Retail Alliances - Not Washington - Will Save the U.S. Health Care System"
WHEN: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 / 6:00-7:30 PM ET
WHERE: Mayo Clinic Transform Conference / Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Dr. SE, Rochester, Minn.
STREAM LIVE: http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/

Arguing for the motion:

* Dr. Rajaie Batniji: Co-Founder & Chief Health Officer, Collective Health 
Dr. Rajaie Batniji is a physician, political economist, and the co-founder of, and chief health officer at, Collective Health, an organization that leads the employer-driven health care economy and aims to create a more efficient health care experience. In his position, he oversees partnerships with health care networks and health care providers, analytics teams, and Collective Health's employee health management programs. Dr. Batniji is also a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

* Gregg Slager: Partner & Global Health Transactions Advisory Services Leader, Ernst & Young LLP 
Gregg Slager is senior partner and Global Health Transactions Advisory Services Leader at EY, a leader in providing assurance, tax, transaction and consulting services. With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and a founding member of EY's healthcare practice, Gregg works with organizations across sectors to help them interpret, reimagine, and thrive in the health ecosystem of the future by providing innovative, data driven solutions that help inform care delivery. Slager frequently speaks and writes about healthcare mergers and acquisitions and has a passion for working with organizations across sectors to manage health costs, improve efficiency and facilitate better health outcomes.

Arguing against the motion:

* Dr. Lisa Bielamowicz: Co-Founder & President, Gist Healthcare 
Dr. Lisa Bielamowicz is the co-founder and president of Gist Healthcare. Her work combines national-level insight with a deep understanding of local market dynamics and system strength. Prior to founding Gist, Dr. Bielamowicz was the chief medical officer and senior vice president of the Advisory Board Company, where she led the firm's strategy and clinical research for over a decade. As a physician, Dr. Bielamowicz brings a clinical lens to her work and has a deep understanding of the dynamics of physician practice.

* Rosemarie Day: Founder & CEO, Day Health Strategies 
Rosemarie Day is founder and CEO of Day Health Strategies. She has over 25 years of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including 16 years of leadership experience in state government. Day served as the founding deputy director and chief operating officer of the Health Connector in Massachusetts, where she played a significant role in launching the first state-run health insurance exchange in the United States. She also served as the chief operating officer for the Massachusetts Medicaid program, covering more than one million members.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S.

A non-partisan, non-profit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded in 2006 to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Their mission is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse. The award-winning debate series reaches over 30 million American households through multi-platform distribution, including radio, television, live streaming, podcasts, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps on Roku and Apple TV. With over 150 debates and counting, Intelligence Squared U.S. has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008.

ABOUT THE MAYO CLINIC CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND TRANSFORM

The Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation (CFI) taps the resources, ingenuity, and legacy of Mayo Clinic's 150+ years of medical leadership. The center offers a unique space within Mayo Clinic to rapidly iterate new ideas into the practice. CFI's multidisciplinary team uses a human-centered design approach to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that change how people can determine their own health and experience the delivery of health and health care.

Since 2008, Transform has been the annual health care innovation conference that connects decision makers, change agents, and stakeholders from around the world. It is a platform to challenge assumptions, collaborate, and share results that accelerate health innovation by focusing on people at the center of an emerging ecosystem for health. Currently, the Center for Innovation is being integrated into the expanded and highly capable Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery to ensure maximum alignment with the needs and strategic direction of Mayo Clinic.