From left to right: CSUB Financial Management Association adviser Mahdy Elhusseiny, CSUB professor John Stark, FMA president Neeraj Rama, and panelists Girish Patel, Robert Severs, Neil Marshall and Beau Woodward. Photo courtesy of Neeraj Rama

By Hillary Haenes

Health care reform and the nation’s financial crisis took center stage as a lively crowd nearly filled the Doré Theatre at Cal State Bakersfield for a panel discussion on current issues of fiscal policy in the United States. The Nov. 10 event was presented by CSUB’s Financial Management Association with graduate student and FMA President Neeraj Rama moderating the discussion.

Important topics that are currently being debated in Washington, D.C., including health care, energy and financial reform, were addressed Tuesday night, to an audience of students, professors and members of the community.

Five local experts addressed the national problems on a more local level. The five panelists included Beau Woodward, a financial consultant for Wells Fargo Investments; Dr. Girish Patel, CEO of Truxtun Radiology; Neil Marshall, CFO of Kern Federal Credit Union; Robert Severs, CEO of GEMCare; and Dr. John Stark, professor and department chairman of management at CSUB.

“They were an amazing group that not only represented very educated and influential people here in Kern County, but they didn’t dance around questions. They were up front in tackling the issues. You don’t find that as much these days,” Rama said in a post-panel-discussion interview.

The two financial representatives, Woodward and Marshall, discussed the collapse of major financial institutions and all of the debt that Americans are experiencing. Marshall said that people are now paying down their debt, and instead of purchasing their next flat-screen TV, they continue to pay off their old one.

Woodward said that with the economic downfall America is in, it is unwise to fix the situation temporarily because “we need to build a platform for our children’s generation.”

As for the two health care experts, Patel and Severs, they had somewhat opposing views. Patel told about his business’s journey, and addressed the health care concern sweeping the country.

“So, the question is, do you want the best or the cheapest when your own health is concerned?  If you have a tumor in the breast, brain or liver, or if your heart is failing, are you willing to wait several months to find out what is causing it, or (do) you want an answer and to begin treatment tomorrow?” asked Patel.

In contrast, Severs stated that everyone has a “qualified right of coverage” for health care in this country. He said he thinks responsibility should be placed on insurance companies and that the delivery of health care needs to be changed, giving patients incentives rather than increasing co-pays.

During the open forum, one question sparked conversation among panelists.Tom Woodward, father of panelist Beau Woodward, directed his question to Patel and Severs, asking whether he had a right or privilege to be taken care of when it came to health care. Patel said health care is either a right or a responsibility. Severs agreed that everyone has a basic right to health care in this country, but said individuals should not abuse alcohol or tobacco.

“I am passionate about health care and I like to talk about it,” Severs said. “I think when I was challenged on whether health care was a right or a privilege … it is an emotional question to a lot of people. I think that will be the center debate of health care going forward.”

This question stirred up more questions and comments from the audience, and left a lasting impression on the panel, who later discussed it at a dinner provided by FMA.

“I think the program here is far ahead of other programs I have experienced. It is an honor to be a part of this, not a right, but a humbling privilege,” said Neil Marshall of Kern Federal Credit Union.

One community member thought the event was important for not just the school, but for the community to attend because the average American should be interested in what is going to happen to this economy.

“In general, I was very impressed with the organization and presentation of the seminar, and the quality of the opinions offered by the guests,” said lawyer Paul Blackhurst.

Rama said FMA’s goal was to connect with the audience and provide knowledge of the problems America is facing such as debt and health care.

Hillary Haenes is a student at CSUB and the managing editor of the student newspaper, The Runner.