Released: January 5, 2006

The Tenth Annual Health Care Conference, sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, will bring together national experts, state legislators and state and federal regulators to discuss a variety of health care topics.

The Conference will be held on Monday, January 23, at the Holiday Inn Select (formerly the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center) in Baton Rouge. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Commissioner Wooley will open the conference at 8:30 a.m. and make closing remarks at 3:30 p.m.

Lorrie Warner, Managing Director, Health Care Group Citigroup Inc., and James Molloy, Director, Health Care Group Citigroup Inc. are the keynote luncheon speakers. Other presenters include Louisiana State Senator James David Cain, Chair of the Senate Committee on Insurance, and Louisiana State Representative Karen Carter, Chair of the House Insurance Committee, who will give a Health Insurance Legislative Overview. Also included will be several exhibitors displaying health products and services.

Anyone interested in attending can contact Vanessa Vince at 225-342-5075 or

email hcconference@ldi.state.la.us. The registration form and agenda, along with hotel accommodation information, are listed on the Department of Insurance Web site: www.ldi.state.la.us. All licensed life, health and accident producers who attend will be entitled to earn up to six hours of continuing education credit.

Health Care Conference agenda topics:

HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA - HEALTH INSURANCE PROTECTIONS

A discussion of emergency regulations in the wake of the 2005 Hurricane season and the U.S. Department of Labor regulations in regards to COBRA.

RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS AND PRIVATE MARKET OPTIONS

National health care policy experts and health care professionals will discuss the potential impact of Discount Health Plans. They will look at some of the fraud that is associated with some plans as well as issues related to ever-increasing health insurance premiums that are bringing a rise to discount plans.

HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNINSURED - POST HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA

This multi-state panel will discuss the new challenges to provide insurance coverage for Louisiana’s uninsured citizens.

THE FUTURE OF LOUISIANA’S HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

Health Care leaders will discuss the landscape of insurance in the wake of the 2005 Hurricane Season - what has changed for Louisiana and what the future will look like for our state.

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