WASHINGTON -- The Concord Coalition will host a briefing on the challenges facing the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare on Tuesday, Dec. 16, beginning at 10 a.m. in room HC-8 of the U.S. Capitol.

The briefing's panelists will examine the following questions: How will the Commission, political leaders, and the public define success? How can the Commission best approach its mission of bringing bipartisan, fiscally responsible reform to Medicare? What are the major issues? Is the public ready for Medicare reform, and if not, how can the Commission lead the way? Should the Commission think "outside the box" or stick to reforms within the current structure?

The panelists for the briefing include:

Patricia P. Smith, senior coordinator for health issues, Department of Federal Affairs, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP);

 

Fred T. Goldberg, former executive director of the Kerrey-Danforth Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement and Tax Reform (1994-95), and current partner with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP;

 

Sharon Canner, vice president, entitlement policy, National Association of Manufacturers.

The panel will be moderated by Martha Phillips, executive director of the Concord Coalition.

This briefing is the latest in a series of nonpartisan informational discussions about federal budget and entitlement issues sponsored by the Concord Coalition for congressional staff and members of the media.