7:30 - 8:15

Registration / Breakfast

8:15 - 8:20 

Welcome & Introductions
A. James Elliott, Associate Dean, Emory School of Law

8:20 - 9:00

SETTING THE STAGE - Eric Solomon will explore various topics such as the current state of our federal tax system, the impact of health reform legislation on the tax system, the prospects for enactment of major legislation in 2010 (and beyond) and the potential for meaningful tax reform.

Eric Solomon, Principal, Ernst & Young LLP (former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy))

9:00 - 10:00

A VIEW FROM THE HILL - Key legislative staff from the congressional tax-writing committees will discuss the tax implications of health care legislation, the legislative agenda for 2010 and the political realities facing Congress.

John L. Buckley, Chief Tax Counsel, U.S. House Ways & Means Committee

Cathy Koch, Chief Tax Counsel, U.s. Senate Committee on Finance

Mark Prater, Deputy Chief of Staff/Chief Tax Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on
Finance

Joseph K. Dowley (Moderator), Partner, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

10:00 - 10:15

BREAK

10:15 - 11:45

A VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES - This panel will focus on the practical impact of proposed and recently enacted tax legislation on U.S. businesses. In addition to health care legislation, topics will include estate tax repeal, carried interests, energy tax proposals and other important policy initiatives.

Joshua D. Odintz, Acting Tax Legislative Counsel, U.S. Department of The Treasury

Scott A. Harty, Parnter, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

Kathleen Weston, Director Global Tax Policy, International Paper Company

Jeffrey L. Rubinger, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP

Jeffrey A. Schoenblum, Centennial Professor of Law, Vanderbilt School of Law

J. Scott Hendon (Moderator), Partner, BDO

11:45 - 1:30

LUNCHEON WITH ADDRESS BY DAVID WALKER, FORMER COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE U.S. AND HEAD OF THE GAO - Our nation faces massive budget deficits, rising health care costs, unsustainable entitlement programs, and an aging population. As former Comptroller General of the U.S. and head of the Government Accountability Office, David Walker will discuss the fiscal and sustainability challenges facing the country and will explore potential solutions, focusing particularly on tax and health care policy. 

David M. Walker, President, The Peter G. Peterson Foundation

1:30 - 1:45

BREAK

1:45 - 2:45

HEALTH CARE REFORM AND U.S. BUSINESS - A  DIAGNOSIS - This panel will discuss the practical effects of health care reform legislation on employers, and how they deal with their employer-sponsored health programs and their workforce. Topics will include direct obligations to contribute to or assist with enrollment in any mandated health coverage, cost-savings opportunities employers may want to consider for their health plans, mandatory changes that employers must make to avoid penalties or increased taxation, and other issues employers need to assess and consider in connection with the health care legislation.

Tony Holmes, Principal and Senior Consultant, Mercer Health and Benefits

Richard Johnson, Vice President Global Benefits, The Home Depot

Todd Simmens, Partner, BDO

Ann Murray (Moderator), Partner, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

2:45 - 3:45

HEALTH CARE REFORM AND THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY - A DIAGNOSIS - This panel will focus on the practical effects of health care reform legislation on health care providers, including hospitals, private insurers and long-term care providers. Topics will include the economic impact of tax increases and the future of the health care industry in the U.S.

Alan C. Dahl, Managing Director, EDG Partners

Kirk McGhee, Vice President and Regional Counsel, Kaiser Permanente

Ken Thorpe, Robert W. Woodruff Professor, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University (former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Mark Lange (Moderator), Partner, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

3:45

Adjourn