Obama’s Healthcare Reform, Neuroscience in the Courts and Marijuana Regulation to be Explored at ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago
CHICAGO, July 21, 2009 — Will health coverage really improve under President Barack Obama’s new initiatives? What kinds of neuroscience evidence are admissible in court? Is the regulation of marijuana a job for the states or federal government? These questions and more will be explored at the 2009 American Bar Association Annual Meeting, July 30- Aug. 4, in Chicago.
With more than 1,500 top quality legal programs and events, and presentations by the foremost law experts and speakers, including Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., the ABA Annual Meeting is the nation’s premier gathering of legal professionals.
The 555-member House of Delegates will meet on Aug. 3 and 4 in the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Grand Ballroom, Gold Level, East Tower to consider policy recommendations and vote on resolutions. During the Aug. 3 meeting, Holder will address the delegates and William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the William and Melinda Gates Foundation, will receive the ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor.
Among policies to be debated by the House is a plan to facilitate increased legal aid to persons facing crisis from the recession. Other proposals urge repeal of a provision in the Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal marital benefits and protections to lawfully married same-sex spouses; call on Congress to approve a national study of the state of criminal justice aiming to reduce crime and incarceration, save tax dollars, enhance fairness and increase public confidence in criminal justice.
For details and updates on these and more than two dozen proposals for debate and vote by the House, check this site.
Online registration for news reporters is easier than ever. Credential guidelines are at www.abanews.org/credentials.html.
Among medical and healthcare law program highlights are:
“Just Around the Corner-Imminent Changes, Proposals and Milestones Affecting the Business of Healthcare” Speakers will address the changing landscape of the business of healthcare in light of the ongoing healthcare reform debate, with a focus on access to specialty care and challenges faced by the Medicare system.
Aug. 1, 8 a.m., Sheraton Chicago, Sheraton Ballroom II, Level 4
“The Future of Evidence: Neuroscience and its Use in the Courtroom”
Neuroscience is finding its way into courtrooms in areas as diverse as termination of life support, capital punishment, child witness capacity and sentencing. This program will examine the science, trends in admissibility and use, and areas for concern.
Aug. 1, 3:45 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Regency Ballroom B, Gold Level, West Tower
“Regulation of Marijuana: A Job for the Federal Government or a Job for the States”
This program will explore the defederalization concept and examine the legal and political hurdles to its realization. Also, to what do these proposed changes mean to the distribution of other substances?
Aug. 1, 2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Grand Ballroom A, Gold Level, East Tower
“HIV and the Rule of Law: Should HIV Testing Be Mandatory in Incarcerated Settings?” According to improved data by the CDC, HIV epidemic in the United States is far worse than previous believed, particularly in incarcerated populations. Discussing the legal and policy dimensions of this phenomenon will be Devon Brown, director of the D.C. Department of Corrections, and Edward Harrison, president of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care in Chicago.
Aug. 1, 2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Regency Ballroom D, Gold Level, West Tower
“Breast Cancer Advocacy Workshop” Cancer patients face a variety of legal problems related to their illness including insurance coverage, payment for treatment, employment issues and estate planning. This seminar seeks to provide an introduction and overview of the common legal problems faced by patients dealing with catastrophic illness. This knowledgeable and experienced panel will provide insight on how to best advocate for breast cancer patients.
July 30, 2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Plaza Ballroom B, Lobby Level, East Tower
“Is It In My Family? One Woman’s Journey Through Genetic Testing” This documentary will chronicle one woman’s journey through genetic testing for the BCRA gene, which predicts breast and ovarian cancer, and the decisions she must make for herself and her family.
July 31, 3:45 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Water Tower, Bronze Level, West Tower
Among other programs:
“Health 2.0: Doctors, Lawyers and the Web’s New Frontier of Electronic Healthcare”
July 31, 8 a.m., Sheraton Chicago, Sheraton Ballroom II, Level 4
“Health Plans: The Changing Landscape”
Aug. 1, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Swissotel, Zurich Salon E, Concourse Level, Event Centre
“Veteran and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Issues for the Legal Practitioner”
Aug. 1, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Comiskey, Bronze Level, West Tower
“Reform of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid: A Debate Between Two Generations of Lawyers”
Aug.1, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Grand Ballroom B, Gold Level, East Tower
“Long Term Care Insurance- An Important Coverage Comes of Age in the New Millenium”
Aug. 1, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Columbus Hall KL, Gold Level, East Tower
“Attorney Depression- It’s More Than Just A Bad Day in Court”
Aug. 1, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Columbus Hall KL, Gold Level, East Tower
During the Annual Meeting, a press room for working journalists will be set up at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Riverside Center, Purple Level, East Tower, and will be open for on-site media registration at 8 a.m. on July 30. Thereafter the press room will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will close one hour after the adjournment of the House of Delegates on Aug. 4.
With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.
- 30 -
