PHILADEPHIA, March 12, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) President and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty joined industry leaders today at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia speaker series titled "In Sickness and in Health: American Health Care in the Age of Obamacare." Hilferty discussed the Affordable Care Act at the event held at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Craig Snyder, president and CEO, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, moderated Hilferty's panel, "Can, Should, and Will Obamacare Improve America's Health?," which included these distinguished experts:
- The Honorable Bill Frist, M.D. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader (2003-07), U.S. Senator (R-TN, 1995-2007)
- Ezekiel Emanuel, M.D., Ph.D. – Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, and Chair, Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania
- Stephen Klasko, M.D., M.B.A. – President, Thomas Jefferson University, and President & CEO, Thomas Jefferson University Health System
"At Independence Blue Cross, we're fully embracing reform, but we're also doing everything we can to raise the quality of care and keep costs down," said Hilferty. "I believe that together the leaders in health care — working with other visionary leaders — can achieve the dramatic changes in the health care system you and I and our families need to get healthy and stay well."
In Hilferty's opening remarks, he also addressed how IBC is collaborating with physicians and hospitals to create groundbreaking new models of cost-effective superior care. He shared how IBC is forging powerful partnerships with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies and other health care leaders around the country to harness technology and create innovative new products and services. Hilferty highlighted that IBC is working to transform the Philadelphia region into a national magnet for health care innovation, investment, and employment.
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to informing and engaging people of all ages on matters of national and international significance.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 7.5 million people nationwide, including 2.2 million in the region. For more than 75 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how we're changing the game, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.