Dole Institute adds programs on health care, alternative political parties

LAWRENCE – The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas has announced additional programs on health care and alternative political parties to wrap up the fall 2017 semester.

“Single Payer: The Future of Healthcare?” will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Dr. Joshua Freeman and Dr. Josh Umbehr will explore possible directions and options for U.S. health care in a conversation organized and facilitated by the Dole Institute’s Student Advisory Board.

“Health care and health insurance are among the most critical issues on voters’ minds today,” Dole Institute director Bill Lacy said. “Our Student Advisory Board has chosen to focus on this timely topic for their biannual program, and it is sure to be an outstanding discussion.”

The institute will also welcome Reed Galen at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 for a program on third-party initiatives and the Serve America Movement. Galen is chief strategist for SAM, which aims to build a new political party for individuals who feel abandoned by partisan politics.

All events are free, open to the public and located at the Dole Institute unless otherwise noted.

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West District and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of U.S. senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.

More information on all programs, as well as ongoing additions to the schedule, can be found on the Dole Institute’s website, www.doleinstitute.org.

“Single Payer: The Future of Healthcare?”
Student Advisory Board program
7 p.m. Dec. 5
Is single payer the next step in American health care? What alternative approaches can we explore? The Dole Institute Student Advisory Board will examine differing systems and the future of U.S. health care policy with special guests Dr. Joshua Freeman and Dr. Josh Umbehr. Freeman is professor emeritus at KU Medical Center, while Umbehr is a KU School of Medicine graduate and the owner of Atlas MD.

“Beyond Red and Blue: Creating a New Political Party”
3 p.m. Dec. 5
Reed Galen will discuss the work of the Serve America Movement, a group dedicated to creating a new political party in the U.S. The chief strategist for SAM, Galen served as deputy campaign manager for John McCain in 2008 and Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. He has also held positions on both the 2000 and 2004 campaigns for President George W. Bush and served in the Bush administration.