Tarren Bragdon, The Foundation for Government Accountability

Tarren Bragdon with members of the Right Angle Board.

This highly informative speaker's meeting provided insight on Medicaid, what it is today and where Medicaid Reform is headed. Tarren Bragdon, formerly from Maine, is President and CEO of The Foundation for Government Accountability for Florida. He and his family now live in Collier County. He is nationally recognized expert on health reform issues with a specialty in Medicaid Reform.

Mr. Bragdon gained some early political experience in Maine, being elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 21. He has advised various federal and state officials, including Governor Rick Scott, on Medicaid Reform and its implications. Mr. Bragdon presented us with a comparison of how actual costs have dramatically exceeded the estimates of projected costs in those states that implemented expanded Medicaid. Two states in his case study eventually were forced to reduce the coverage or the eligibility or both.

In the Q&A period, it was suggested that more Medicaid creates higher health costs for the general population since hospitals have to make up their losses. Another comment made was since Medicaid patients don't have co-pay obligations they are less apt to manage their healthcare usage.

Mr. Bragdon's PowerPoint charts were clear and his entire presentation was very well received by the club members.

Today, Jack Bream was recognized for his service to the Right Angle Men's Club since its founding. Jack provided many of our speakers and brought the AVID program to VCC. We are grateful for all he has done.

Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw, President Florida Gulf Coast University

President Bradshaw spoke at VCC Right Angle Men's Club on Feb. 14,2013. He gave an overview of FGCU-its history, expansive growth and future plans. Presently, FGCU has an enrollment of 13,500 students and has grown from 4 to 95 buildings over the last 16 years. Dr. Bradshaw explained that students gain a full learning experience not limited to 15 hours of classroom time. He also said that online classroom time is expanding rapidly. All decisions are made with environmental sustainability in mind. FGCU networks with heads of other universities and colleges as well as county representatives. FGCU students enjoy relatively low tuition rates and are near the top in job placement. Everyone enjoyed his pleasant delivery and good humor. He urged everyone to visit the campus and to support the University's athletic teams.

Superintendent Dan Kimball

Our January Speaker was Dan Kimball, Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. Mr. Kimball began with a history of water management in South Florida from Lake Okeechobee down to the Everglades. There had been a loss of many plant and animal species prior to the Everglades being designated a National Park. Dan then gave us a lenghtly Burmese Python report. He and his crew are inventing solutions as they go to deal with this problem. This million and a half acre park is susceptible to a number of other threats such as hurricanes, careless boating and climate change. Scientists predict an increased sea levels by as much as three feet this century, the park is barely above sea level now. A Nike Missile site from the Cold War era has been opened to tourism. The missile site is one of the best preserved of all Nike sites. Also guided tours and educational seminars are readily available. A near record number of Right Angle members and guests enjoyed a well delivered talk spiced with humor. We are fortunate to have such high profile speakers as Dan Kimball. New Right Angle members were introduced, thirteen in all. We now have 150 members on our list and if any member knows of someone who would be interested in joining, please email us, rightangleofvcc@aol.com.