Local, national experts to address Affordable Care Act

What does the Affordable Care Act mean to small- and medium-sized businesses? Alexian Brothers Health System and the Daily Herald Media Group are holding an informational program to explain the key issues involved with the legislation.

Industry experts will discuss the issues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 Thoreau Drive North in Schaumburg.

Mark Frey, president and CEO of Alexian Brothers Health System in Arlington Heights, will talk about the changes occurring within the health care industry and how they affect everyone.

A panel of experts will address various topics. Mary Ella Payne, from Washington, D.C., will explain the ACA concept and what types of insurance exchanges are available. She is senior vice president for policy and system legislative leadership with Ascension Health.

Attorney Melinda Dutton, partner in the health care division of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in New York, will explain the details of the law.

Rhett Buttle will address the small business angle of the act. He is the national outreach and government affairs director with the Small Business Majority in Washington, D.C.

And Angela Adams, director of HR Services at the Management Association, will bring the ACA to the local level and answer questions on what businesses need to do to prepare based on the Illinois law as looks right now.

Laurie Stone will serve as moderator. The cost for the event is $65. This includes registration, materials, refreshments and lunch. Register online at www.dhevents.niu.edu.