by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

A candid discussion of health care topics featuring key South Carolina political candidates dominated center stage at MUSC’s Baruch Auditorium as students and the public gathered on Oct. 21. This first-time event was sponsored by the local chapter of the American Medical Assoc. Medical Student Section (AMAMSS).

“Students realize that health care is an important front-burner issue,” said Kristopher Crawford, a second-year College of Medicine student and secretary of the local chapter of AMAMSS. “As rising physicians, students need to be aware of the changing trends in Medicaid and Medicare issues, especially as it relates to the next generation of baby boomers.”

Topics ranging from the establishment of medical savings accounts, defined patient’s rights, health care reform and federal funding of medical teaching institutions were addressed in a question-answer format. The questions were formulated by MUSC students.

Four of six Charleston area candidates were present for the two-hour forum. They were: Rep. Bob Inglis, Joseph Inella, Gary McCleod and Rep. Mark Sanford. Absent from the evening’s event were Sen. Ernest Hollings, who provided a written statement, and Rep. James Clyburn. Forum moderator was Richard E. Ulmer, M.D.

U. S. Rep. Bob Inglis-R, formally with District 4, emphasized complications associated with the nation’s current healthcare system. He defined his support of indigent care and preached about the evils of HMOs. Natural Law Party Candidate Joseph Inella spoke of the changing values of today’s society and his platform of a health-based approach focusing on prevention.

Like Inglis, Inella supports the use of other verifiable incentive programs like medical savings accounts, which can provide low-level medical services and medicine without dealing with insurance and utilizing vouchers for Medicare/Medicaid.

Republican candidate Gary McCleod related his staunch views on the non-active role government should play in both education and healthcare issues. McCleod is the founder of the group, Citizens for a Constitutional Government.

A return to values and focus on the patient’s interest is U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford-R, District 1, approach to health care. He related how variables such as cost, quality and coverage must be measured to provide adequate medical care for South Carolinians.

The forum’s audience featured a modest mix of medical and health professions students, MUSC residents and physicians, community health professionals and the general public. Crawford recognized the difficulty in attracting students away from their busy agenda of studies, rotation responsibilities and other work.

The group plans to sponsor an open forum featuring the South Carolina governor’s race winner in spring 1999. The topic will focus on revised Medicaid reform, the control of which has been redirected to the state.