Fall 2009 Dean's Update

Mark Meyers
Dean of College of Social Sciences, Health, and Education

Health care reform is a topic on the top of everyone's conversation list these days, even as it seems to have split the country into three groups. Many people are for it, while just as many seem to be against it. The third group is waiting to make a decision until they have more details. Some people want the issue handled quickly, others would like the process to run its course over a longer period of time. I believe this discussion is driving many people to take a wait-andsee attitude about health care and that frightens me.

Health care reform cannot be an issue that we stand back and wait to see what happens.

I agree with Dan Wolterman, who indicated at an alumni event in 2008 that as graduates of a Jesuit institution, we do not wait for change, we go and make it. So I would ask every one of you as current students and graduates of the health services administration program to get involved in the discussion. Talk with your local congressional representatives to make sure your voice is heard. As stated in the song Free Will by the group Rush: "If you choose not to decide, you still have a choice."

No matter what side of the issue you are on, we will all benefit from the active participation of every member of our community. How will you get involved?