|
| Volume 3, Issue 1 |
Chamber Holds Successful “Fireside Chat” and Chamber Academy Policy Forum
The Chamber hosted its successful, annual "Fireside Chat" with Mayor Jerry Sanders on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at the Marriott Hotel & Marina in downtown San Diego. The Fireside Chat gives local business leaders the opportunity to hold a relaxed and informed discussion on local and regional policy issues as well as a live question & answer session with San Diego’s Mayor. Attendees enjoyed an intimate conversation with Mayor Sanders, who focused much of his talk on the state and city of San Diego budgets, reiterating city’s need for an ample reserve in case of wildfires or earthquakes, as well as the dire condition of the state budget. Mayor Sanders also addressed his veto of the budget resolution in order to balance projected budget gaps.
The audience was given the opportunity to pose questions to Mayor Sanders on a range of issues, including airport planning, managed competition, use of trash funds to balance the budget, the role of the new city attorney, and the future of the San Diego Padres. The Mayor’s candor, wit and insight was enjoyed by all, and event proved once again to be a success. Special thanks to the sponsors for this event: AT&T, ESET, Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Kaiser Permanente, National University, Neighborhood House Association, Sempra Energy, Solar Turbines and Union Bank of California.
The Chamber also hosted a complimentary Chamber Academy Policy Forum in conjunction with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at California State University San Marcos. Dr. Tevi Troy, Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and an expert panel provided interesting and informed examination of “Healthcare Innovation in the 21st Century: HHS' Dynamic Role in the Biomedical and Device Development Process.” Participants had the opportunity to learn about the Department’s latest efforts to help foster innovation and the development of life-saving and life-extending technologies, and exchange ideas with senior HHS officials and panel participants. Panel participants included Barbara Mittleman, M.D., Director, Public-Private Partnership Program Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health; Ashley Boam, Chief of the Interventional Cardiology Devices Branch Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration; Jeffrey A. Kelman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Center for Beneficiary Choice, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and Jean Slutsky, M.S.P.H., Director, Center for Outcomes Evidence Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Chamber President and CEO Ruben Barrales (left) with a representative from California State University San Marcos and Chamber Academy Policy Forum panel participants.
|
