Scholars Discuss Affordable Care Act, 2014 Elections

EVANSTON, Ill. --- A panel discussion on “The Affordable Care Act and the 2014 Election” at Northwestern University will feature prominent scholars who will weigh in on the immediate consequences of the historic legislation and its future impact on local and national politics.

Hosted by the Northwestern Scholars Strategy Network, the event will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, on the lower level conference room of the Transportation Center, 600 Foster St., on Northwestern’s Evanston campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The panelists include:

•  Colleen M. Grogan, professor in the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. Her areas of research interest include health policy, health politics, participatory processes and the American welfare state.
• Lawrence Jacobs, the Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance in the Hubert H. Humphrey School and the department of political science at the University of Minnesota. He has published several books and articles on a range of public policies including health care reform and American politics. 

Illinois State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) will respond to the scholars and offer her own insights.

“We hope people at Northwestern and members of the surrounding community will join us for an engaging discussion about the Affordable Care Act, its political consequences and the future of health care in the United States,” said Brayden King, associate professor of management and organizations at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and an organizer of the event.

Earlier in the day, Grogan and Jacobs will participate in a special seminar “Health Care and the 2014 Election” from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 633 N. St. Clair, 18th floor, Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) classroom, in Chicago. This Oct. 22 event also is free and open to the public.